Germany has 851 distribution system operators (DSOs) leading to fragmented service and higher costs. Attempts to merge this overabundance of DSOs has not been successful in Germany and so inefficiencies persist. As most DSOs today own and operate the grid themselves, a system of independent system operators (iDSOs) may be a path forward for Germany.
In this paper, experts Andreas Jahn and Zsuzsanna Pató, discuss the potential of a regional iDSO regime to solve Germany’s fragmented grid. Taking the Flanders’ iDSO Fluvius for an example, the authors examine how iDSOs could scale up operational solutions and provide more harmonious service over larger geographies. By aligning iDSOs with already establish transmission service operator redispatch zones, Germany may be able to lower costs and improve service.

Featured image by Marco Montalti