Supporting the digital transition to an All-Electric Society
The CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Coordination Group on the All-Electric Society (COG AES) coordinates European standardization activities supporting the transition towards a decarbonised, electrified and digital energy system.
The group addresses cross-sector standardization needs related to the All-Electric Society (AES) and facilitates cooperation between technical bodies of CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. Its objective is to ensure coherent and efficient development of standards enabling renewable energy integration, increased electrification, and interoperable energy systems.
COG AES was established following a decision of the CEN and CENELEC Technical Boards to merge the former CLC/BTWG 176-3 and the CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Coordination Group on Smart Grids (COG SG) into a joint coordination group from mid-2025.
Role and scope
The mission is to establish coordination mechanisms between technical bodies and support the effective planning and allocation of standardization activities related to the All-Electric Society, including Smart Grids and Smart Metering.
COG AES addresses standardization needs linked to the decarbonisation of society and the economy, with a particular focus on sector coupling between electricity and other energy carriers. Key areas of coordination include:
- increasing electrification and sector integration (e.g. electric heating and cooling, electromobility, prosumers)
- electrical grids and smart metering infrastructures
- optimisation of the matching between energy generation and demand
- support for system stability and market developments (e.g. aggregation, balancing and capacity mechanisms)
- electrical energy storage
- flexibility solutions across the energy system
The group also considers the role of digitalisation, sensing and automation, including standardization related to:
- smart grids and digital energy infrastructures
- multi-commodity smart metering
- interactions between systems such as electricity, gas, thermal energy and water
- energy management across grids, homes and buildings (HBES), mobility, industry and infrastructure
Organisation and working streams
COG AES currently operates through dedicated working streams, each focusing on key aspects of AES standardisation:
WS1 – AES Set of Standards (WS STD)
- Maintain the list of European AES standards to be developed
- Propose a standardization work programme for approval by Technical Committees and Technical Boards
- Provide comments and recommendations to COG AES
- Monitor developments to identify standardization gaps and coordinate new work
- Organise technical dissemination activities and events
- Maintain the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) in alignment with international activities
Convenor: Gilles Nativel (France)
WS2 – Policy and Regulation (WS PR)
- Identify standardization needs linked to emerging policy and regulatory developments
- Coordinate input from COG AES to regulatory stakeholders and initiatives, including:
- European Commission
- SEEG
- ENTSO-E
- EU-DSO entity
Convenor: Jörg Seiffert (Germany)
WS3 – AES Support and Dissemination (WS SD)
- Disseminate information on AES-related standardization activities
- Support stakeholders in applying AES standards, methodologies and interoperability frameworks
- Provide guidance on toolboxes, SGAM and Smart Grids outcomes
- Act as a central interface for Horizon Europe projects and the BRIDGE BSUG
Note: The working streams are intended to support appropriate and flexible organisation of the referenced work and thus might be adapted over time due to emerging needs.
Cooperation with related initiatives
COG AES maintains links with relevant European and international initiatives, including:
- the European Commission’s High-Level Forum Workstream 9 on the Green Electricity System, contributing to discussions on flexibility, efficiency and system integration.
- the Smart Energy Expert Group (SEEG) to assist the European Commission on issues regarding the sustainable digital transformation of the energy system and in the development and deployment of smart energy solutions that support the goals of the twin green and digital transition.
Join the Effort
If you are an expert in any of the previously mentioned topics and wish to contribute to the standardization process, consider joining COG AES or its working streams.
Your expertise can help shape the future of energy transition and digital transformation in Europe!
