ELERING AS

Their core work

Elering is Estonia's electricity and gas transmission system operator (TSO), responsible for managing the national power grid and ensuring security of supply. In H2020, they contribute real-world grid operational data, test flexibility services at national scale, and help design pan-European market and network code frameworks. Their projects focus on integrating renewables into transmission infrastructure, coordinating TSO-DSO interfaces, and building cross-border energy market mechanisms across the Baltics and wider Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Elering's early H2020 work (2016–2017) centred on electricity grid flexibility, power electronics integration, and market design for accommodating variable renewables — essentially adapting the existing grid to new generation patterns. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward pan-European coordination: TSO-DSO interfaces, unified network codes, congestion management across borders, and renewable gas traceability. This trajectory shows a move from national grid adaptation to active participation in designing Europe-wide energy system architecture.

Elering is positioning itself as a key voice in pan-European grid harmonization and sector coupling (electricity-to-gas), making them a strong partner for projects requiring real TSO infrastructure and cross-border market expertise.

How they like to work

Elering participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a national infrastructure operator contributing real-world grid assets and operational knowledge rather than leading research agendas. With 208 unique partners across 32 countries, they operate in very large consortia typical of major EU energy system projects. This broad network suggests they are a sought-after partner when projects need a real TSO testbed or Baltic/Nordic grid perspective.

Elering has collaborated with 208 distinct partners across 32 countries, reflecting participation in major pan-European energy system projects. Their network spans the full range of European TSOs, DSOs, research institutes, and technology providers active in grid modernization.

What sets them apart

As Estonia's TSO, Elering offers something few partners can: a national-scale transmission grid that serves as a living laboratory for testing flexibility services, market mechanisms, and cross-border coordination in a real operational environment. Estonia's position at the EU-Russia energy border and within the Baltic synchronization process adds geopolitical relevance. Their dual mandate over electricity and gas transmission also makes them one of few TSOs able to contribute to sector-coupling and renewable gas projects simultaneously.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INTERRFACE
  Largest funding (EUR 393,750) — focused on the critical TSO-DSO-consumer interface architecture for grid services, directly aligned with Elering's core infrastructure role.
• EU-SysFlex
  Large-scale pan-European project on flexibility integration running until 2022, addressing market design and cross-border coordination that shaped Elering's later project trajectory.
• REGATRACE
  Represents Elering's expansion from electricity into renewable gas and Guarantees of Origin — a strategic move toward sector coupling and gas system governance.