Austria Tests Software to Boost Grid Capacity * Science and Technology Times

An Austrian power distributor is turning to advanced software to increase grid capacity without building new infrastructure.
Rising solar adoption and more active energy‑producing consumers have made grid management increasingly complex.
A new digital system aims to improve visibility, reduce overload risks and help operators use existing assets more efficiently.

Solar Growth Drives Need for Smarter Grid Management

Austria’s Carinthia region is experiencing rapid growth in solar installations, creating both opportunities and operational challenges for the local grid operator. Kärnten Netz (KNG), which manages nearly 19,000 kilometers of power lines and more than 7,500 transformer stations, is preparing to modernize its network with more flexible digital tools. The region’s photovoltaic capacity is expected to double by 2030, adding roughly 1.1 gigawatts of new generation. Such expansion can strain rural networks, especially in narrow valleys where long distribution lines are already prone to voltage fluctuations.

Regulators in Austria are increasingly encouraging market‑driven and flexible solutions to address these issues. Traditional infrastructure upgrades often require years of planning and construction, making them difficult to rely on during periods of rapid renewable growth. Digitalization offers a faster alternative by giving operators real‑time insight into how the grid behaves. These tools help utilities respond more quickly to changing conditions and maintain stability as renewable output fluctuates.

The rise of prosumers — households and businesses that both consume and produce electricity — adds further complexity. Their unpredictable generation patterns can create localized bottlenecks. Operators must now manage a more dynamic system than in the past. Software‑based solutions are emerging as a key part of this transition.

Carinthia’s sunny climate accelerates the need for such tools. Solar output can spike quickly on clear days, pushing parts of the network toward technical limits. Without better monitoring and control, these peaks could lead to overloads. The region’s grid modernization efforts aim to prevent such issues before they occur.

Software Helps Prevent Overloads and Improve Efficiency

To address these challenges, Kärnten Netz has selected Siemens’ Gridscale X Flexibility Manager software. The system is designed to maximize the performance of existing infrastructure without requiring new lines or transformers. It continuously monitors grid conditions and predicts where overloads or bottlenecks may develop. When risks appear, the software can activate flexible energy resources already connected to the network.

These resources include solar panels, electric vehicles, heat pumps and battery storage systems. They can respond far more quickly than traditional infrastructure upgrades, making them valuable tools for stabilizing the grid. By coordinating these assets, the software helps operators smooth out fluctuations and maintain safe operating conditions. This approach can increase grid utilization by up to 20% without additional construction.

The system’s predictive capabilities also support more efficient planning. Operators gain a clearer understanding of where upgrades are truly necessary and where smarter control is sufficient. This insight can reduce investment costs by as much as 40%, according to early estimates. The result is a more cost‑effective path to integrating renewable energy.

Digital transparency also improves day‑to‑day operations. Real‑time data allows operators to react faster to unexpected changes in demand or generation. Automated responses reduce the risk of outages and improve overall reliability. These benefits make software‑based solutions increasingly attractive for utilities facing rapid energy transitions.

The Flexibility Manager is part of Siemens’ broader Gridscale X portfolio. This modular suite of tools is built on the Siemens Xcelerator digital platform, enabling utilities to adopt new technologies at their own pace. Each module addresses a different aspect of grid management, offering a scalable approach to modernization.

Modular Tools Support Autonomous Grid Operation

The Gridscale X portfolio includes several components that complement the Flexibility Manager. One module, LV Insights, provides real‑time visualization of the low‑voltage network on a map, accessible even from a smartphone. Another module, LV Management, actively controls the grid and functions as an automated “co‑pilot” for operators. These tools help utilities move toward more autonomous and responsive grid operations.

Siemens developed the Flexibility Manager in collaboration with several European utilities. Partners include the Dutch operator Alliander, the Italian company Areti and Norway’s Elvia. Their real‑world experience helped shape the software’s capabilities and ensure it meets practical operational needs. This collaborative approach reflects the shared challenges utilities face across Europe.

The shift toward digital grid management is becoming increasingly important as renewable energy continues to expand. Traditional infrastructure alone cannot keep pace with the speed of change. Software‑based solutions offer a way to bridge the gap while maintaining reliability. They also support long‑term planning by identifying where investments will have the greatest impact.

Carinthia’s adoption of these tools may serve as a model for other regions with rapidly growing solar capacity. The combination of real‑time monitoring, predictive analytics and flexible resource coordination provides a blueprint for modern grid operation. As more utilities explore similar solutions, digitalization is likely to play a central role in Europe’s energy transition.