Interview with Julia Weberberger, Energie AG Oberösterreich

What role does digitalisation play in the transformation of the energy system?

The major challenge we face in Europe is no longer simply to generate more renewable energy. Ultimately, the key question is how we can integrate this renewable energy flexibly, use it reliably and manage it intelligently. To achieve this, we need to take an integrated approach to grids, storage and consumers.

We discussed this in an interdisciplinary group, exploring how digital control systems can help us safely coordinate the complex energy system of the future.

What is particularly important when it comes to digitalising the energy system?

We are moving towards a new energy system. The system we are coming from is centralised. We are now moving towards a system with many decentralised consumers whose energy demand fluctuates. This means that each of us holds only one piece of the puzzle. Energy suppliers, infrastructure operators, consumers and public authorities all need to work together to put the pieces together and create a complete picture. To do this, we naturally need data and forecasts to manage the system intelligently.

If we succeed, we can turn this new complexity of the energy system into a new strength for Europe.

How can we avoid creating new dependencies, for example on major data and technology companies?

That is a crucial question. We must not replace one dependency with another. I believe that, just as with energy supply, diversification is key. We must avoid becoming dependent on individual providers, and we need providers we can trust. Trust in how our data, as well as the data of customers and consumers, is handled. We must continue to be able to understand how data is processed, where it is stored, how it is ultimately used and, above all, by whom.

Watch the original interview with Julia Weberberger (in German).