Field Trips Peer Learning Series

How do energy systems scale when grids, markets, and infrastructure stop at borders, but electricity does not?

This first Field Trips session took regulators on a virtual field trip across regions to explore how interregional planning has actually moved forward in practice, despite fragmented authority, political differences, and uneven cost responsibilities. 

Field Trips is a global peer learning series for regulators, with each session focusing on a different geography or regulatory challenge and creating space to learn from what has worked, what has not, and why.

Drawing on experiences from Europe and the western United States, the session looked at how transmission and market integration efforts were designed, where they struggled, and what ultimately helped unlock progress. Rather than focusing on ideal models, the discussion centers on real regulatory decisions, trade-offs and lessons learned along the way.

Participants heard perspectives from Carl Linvill and Zsuzsanna Pató, followed by a structured peer exchange. Together, the group reflected on questions such as:

• What makes interregional coordination worth the effort?
• How do governance, trust, and transparency shape outcomes?
• What can be adapted across regions, and what cannot?

Who is this for?

This session is designed primarily for energy regulators and regulatory staff working on electricity and gas systems. It may also be relevant for colleagues in closely related public sector institutions who engage with regulators on interregional or cross-border issues.

The session is designed to be interactive and practical, with space to compare experiences, surface challenges, and take away insights that can inform ongoing regulatory work.