What is the future for distribution networks? The European description of them as distribution system operators (DSOs) illustrates the issue: should they be active players in electricity supply and system management, or should they be independent facilitators for other market players? And what should be their charging structure when distributed generation, storage and flexible consumers make per-kWh charges outdated?
The issue was a key question arising at electricity supplier lobby group Eurelectric’s annual meeting in Berlin. Should DSOs be asset owners or system operators?