What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to enhance understanding and clarity around the concept of flexibility in power systems.

April 16, 2026Open Access

Flexibility In Future Power Systems

EHEmil HillbergNorwegian University of Science and Technology AZAntony ZegersDefence Research and Development Canada BHBarbara HerndlerAustrian Institute of Technology

Key Points

The aim is to enhance understanding and clarity around the concept of flexibility in power systems.
Analyzed flexibility needs across various power system aspects.
Collaborated with multiple international contributors from several countries.
Presented findings at multiple conferences and webinars.
Defined several categories of flexibility: Power, Energy, Transfer Capacity, and Voltage.
Published findings in various formats, including fact sheets and discussion papers.
Contributed to international dialogue at events like the Clean Energy Ministerial and ISGAN Conference.

Abstract

Solutions providing advances in flexibility are of utmost importance for the future power system.However, flexibility is not a unified term and is lacking a commonly accepted definition. The flexibility term is used as an umbrella covering various needs and aspects in the power system which complicates the discussion on flexibility and craves for differentiation to enhance clarity. ISGAN Annex 6 has dedicated an activity on flexibility with the intention to support an increased understanding of the flexibility concept, proposing categorisation of flexibility needs in the power system. This activity resulted in several publications with contributions from parties in: Sweden, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland. The final results and conclusions of this activity were presented at a dedicated ISGAN Webinar, November 2019. In the Fact Sheet: Grid Evolved – Power System Flexibility, the condensed knowledge from this activity, with collaboration with Mission Innovation, was published for the 10th Clean Energy Ministerial in Vancouver, Canada, May 2019. In the Discussion Paper (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.22580.71047), the full report is provided from this activity, including description of the flexibility categories: Flexibility for Power, Flexibility for Energy, Flexibility for Transfer Capacity, and Flexibility for Voltage. The Leaflet: Power system flexibility – the ability to manage change presents an executive summary of the discussion paper, giving a good insight into the work. This leaflet was published for the ISGAN Conference The future of electricity markets in a low carbon economy in Stockholm, Sweden April 2019. The Scientific paper: Flexibility to support the future power systems, based on the discussion paper, was published for the CIGRE Symposium in Aalborg, Denmark, June 2019.

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