Experts brought together by SPER: Flexibility and resilience of the SEN become strategic priorities. The round table on “The challenges of leading the SEN by dispatcher in the conditions of massive integration of renewable sources”, organized by the Society of Energy Professionals in Romania (SPER), within FOREN 2026, enjoyed a special interest, bringing together an important number of specialists in the field. Representatives of the Energy Transmission Operators of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, of the regulatory authority, of the distribution operators, as well as of various private companies active in the energy market, in the presence of the press, debated major topical topics: the operation of electricity systems in the conditions of the energy transition, the lessons learned from the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula and the conclusions of the final report of ENTSO-E, the need to increase the flexibility of the National Electricity System (SEN), the new European requirements on the Flexibility Needs Assessment, as well as the impact of the accelerated integration of renewable sources and the increase in the number of prosumers on electricity grids.
Mihai Cremenescu, Director of the Operational Directorate of the National Energy Dispatcher, underlined the complexity of the energy event in Spain and the need to learn from the experiences of others: “This blackout was a complex, complicated one, it is, in my opinion, proof of the neglect of sustainability in the integration process for many years. We all need to see where others have gone wrong and to what extent we can prevent this. We have a well-defined defense plan and restoration plan.”
Adrian Mihai Constantin, Chief Dispatcher of the DEC Shift and Technical Expert at Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania, involved in the analysis of the blackout that affected approximately 55 million consumers in the Iberian Peninsula, presented the main recommendations of the ENTSO-E report: “There are 17 causes that led to this blackout and 21 recommendations in the ENTSO-E report. The analyzed causes refer to voltage control, triggers of generating units, defense plan, forced oscillations and intrazonal oscillations, system restoration. It is important to remember that we also have responsibilities, not just rights, in the use of the network.”
According to the recommendations formulated at the level of ENTSO-E and presented by Adrian Mihai Constantin, increasing the safety and resilience of the electricity system requires a series of technical and operational measures, including: the operation of the production units in voltage regulation regime, the modernization of the reactive power compensation solutions by using flexible equipment and STATCOM systems, the optimization of the adjustments for the damping of oscillations, revision of protection settings and development of advanced automatic disconnection schemes when the frequency decreases. The ENTSO-E also recommends regular real tests for the restoration of the SEN in the event of collapse or for insular operation, as well as the definition of a regulatory framework that allows the controlled reconnection of distributed energy resources in the system restoration process.
Alexandru Molnar, Head of the Electricity Market Regulations Service at ANRE, highlighted the importance of the safety of interconnected systems and the role of collaboration between the regulator and the network operators: “Good things must be preserved and adapted to the needs and challenges that arise within the energy system. The regulator must listen to the operators. We will continue in terms of regulation, which, however, is no longer just a national prerogative, but a European one.”
Valeriu Binig, Scientific Advisor of CNR-CME, spoke about the adaptation to the new network codes and the stability requirements of the energy system: “In the coming period, the energy sector will have to adapt to increasingly stringent requirements regarding compliance with network codes and maintaining the stability of the system. Among the issues brought to the attention of the authorities and system operators are voltage control, monitoring the inertia of the system at national and regional level.
There is also an increasing emphasis on the participation of renewable energy generation installations in the control of reactive power and voltage, on increasing the observability of the system and on the real-time transmission of the necessary data to grid operators. In this context, periodic checking of protection settings, avoiding unjustified disconnections and complying with technical requirements become essential elements for the safety and resilience of the power grid.
For Romania, a number of important decisions are to be clarified in the coming period, including those regarding the requirements applicable to certain categories of installations and the timing of the implementation of the new technical obligations. These developments will contribute to the safe integration of an increasing share of renewables and to strengthen the stability of the national energy system.”
Daniel Farcaș, Head of the High Voltage Dispatch Service, Delgaz Grid, highlighted the need for close collaboration between distribution operators and the transmission and system operator, as well as the importance of better monitoring and management of prosumers. “There is a need for communication between distribution operators and TSOs, communication and coordination on the phone at restoration, as well as a direct line between dispatcher centers, as well as between dispatchers and operating personnel. We need to see the prosumers, to manage them.”
Eduard Albulescu, Director of Measurement at Distribuție Energie Oltenia, stressed that, although blackout situations cannot be completely excluded, they can be limited through preventive measures, clear restoration procedures and the development of efficient flexibility mechanisms, defined by collaboration between operators and academia and by the involvement of prosumers.
Cătălina Drenea, Operation Manager at Reţele Electrice Romania, presented the measures adopted after the analysis of the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula, emphasizing the prioritization of supplying critical consumers, the development of dispatcher management and the need to continuously adapt the networks to the new operating conditions.
Octavian Ciobîrcă, Deputy General Manager of Moldelectrica, shared the experience of the Republic of Moldova in managing blackout situations and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and exchange of experience with Transelectrica.
Ion Lungu, President of CNR-CME, drew attention to the responsibilities of all network users and to the need to prepare through simulations and periodic training, stressing that “flexibility and competitiveness” are the keywords of the future energy sector.
In conclusion, Corina Popescu, Vice President of SPER and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Moldelectrica, the moderator of the event, said: “We will transmit the conclusions of this round table to the authorities. It is important that the voice of specialists in the sector is heard and listened to. Today’s discussions show that new challenges impose new rules. The needs of the energy system are different from the past and we must carefully analyze what new categories of investments we promote. We will continue to focus on exchanging best practices and analyzing the latest technical challenges in the safe operation of the power system.”
The Society of Energy Professionals in Romania (SPER) is a non-governmental, non-profit and independent association, which brings together specialists with extensive experience in the energy sector, recognized nationally and internationally. The association supports gender equality and fair conditions for access to management positions and decision-making positions, supporting the promotion of competence in the energy sector through awareness campaigns, advocacy activities and collaborations with government institutions and industry organizations.