The rapid growth of renewable generation, energy storage, electric mobility and distributed energy resources is changing how electricity systems are planned and operated. From 19 to 22 October 2026, the IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe conference, ISGT Europe 2026, will bring the international power and energy community to Budapest to discuss how smarter, more flexible and increasingly autonomous grids can support this transformation. The event will take place at the Budapest Congress Centre.
Under the theme “From Flexibility to Autonomy: Smart Grids for a Sustainable and Stable Future”, the conference will connect researchers, utilities, industry representatives, policymakers and technology specialists working on the future of power systems. Key areas include distributed energy resource integration, active distribution networks, flexibility and storage, electric vehicles, market design, business models, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, microgrids and advanced grid modelling.
These questions are becoming increasingly relevant at district and city level. Positive Clean Energy Districts depend on energy systems that can manage local generation, changing demand, storage and new forms of energy sharing while remaining reliable and responsive. Digital platforms, intelligent control and better coordination between buildings, grids and users will therefore play an increasingly important role in enabling districts to move from passive energy consumption towards more flexible local energy systems.
ISGT Europe 2026 will combine technical sessions with keynote lectures, panels and tutorials, creating a forum for connecting research with real-world implementation. For cities, utilities and technical organisations working on the energy transition, the event offers an opportunity to follow developments that could shape how local and distributed energy systems are planned and operated in the coming years.
