How Siemens Software Targets Grid Bottlenecks for Telcos

Siemens has launched Gridscale X Flexibility Manager, a new software solution aimed at helping distribution system operators (DSOs) reduce grid congestion and unlock network capacity. 

For telecom operators and data centre developers facing long delays in securing grid access, the software offers a way to accelerate connections without relying on new infrastructure.

Designed to support the growing demands of electrification, Gridscale X works by predicting where congestion is likely to occur and activating flexibility from distributed energy resources (DERs). 

These include electric vehicles, batteries, heat pumps and solar installations, which can be used to balance grid load dynamically and enable new grid users to connect faster.

Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software, says: "Unlocking the potential of flexibility for grid planning and operations is a gamechanger for DSOs navigating the energy transition.

With Gridscale X, utilities can maximise the use of existing infrastructure, accelerate renewable integration and data centre connections and make smarter investments to deliver a more resilient energy future. 

“It's not just about managing today’s grid but shaping tomorrow’s autonomous energy landscape."

Relevance for telecom and data centre networks

Telecom operators rely heavily on consistent and scalable power supplies, particularly as 5G, edge and hyperscale data centre demands increase. 

The challenge is that network congestion in many regions is slowing or blocking new deployments. Gridscale X Flexibility Manager offers a way to overcome these limitations by enabling better use of the existing power grid.

The software integrates directly with DSO systems to monitor network conditions and forecast where constraints may occur. If a future overload is identified, the platform selects flexibility options from connected prosumers and helps the operator activate them through relevant market or control systems. The approach can increase grid capacity usage by up to 20% and reduce grid investment costs by up to 40%.

For the telecom sector, it means operators may face fewer delays waiting for new capacity or substation upgrades. 

The software supports the growing trend of colocation and edge data centre deployments that require grid connections in non-traditional areas with limited infrastructure headroom.

Supporting digitalisation with software-defined grids

Gridscale X Flexibility Manager is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform designed to accelerate transformation across sectors including energy and telecoms. As a result, it complements physical grid upgrades, creating a digital layer that gives DSOs and service providers more agility in how they manage energy flow.

In the context of 5G and fibre rollout, where service providers are also investing in their own edge compute and network infrastructure, having greater flexibility at the grid level adds value. 

Telecoms are increasingly taking part in energy markets, both as large users and as contributors of flexible load via backup systems or on-site generation. Platforms like Gridscale X provide a path to integrate these assets into wider grid operations.

A recent study cited by Siemens found that 74% of energy executives consider smart grid software essential to the energy transition. 

The telecom sector, increasingly defined by its own digital transformation, depends on similar levels of automation and software control to optimise its operations.

Collaboration with European DSOs

Siemens developed the software in partnership with several European DSOs, including Alliander in the Netherlands, Elvia in Norway and Austrian utility KNG (Kärnten Netz). These operators face varying regulatory and technical challenges but share the need for more agile, data-driven solutions to manage distributed energy and maintain grid reliability.

In Carinthia, Austria, KNG expects solar capacity to nearly double by 2030. Such growth brings risks of voltage instability and congestion, especially in rural areas with long feeder lines. 

Anticipating a shift to a market-based flexibility framework, KNG partnered with Siemens to trial the Flexibility Manager and prepare for regulatory changes.

Robert Schmaranz, Head of Operations at KNG, says: “We are facing a new and increasingly complex regulatory framework, combined with massive challenges in system operations as we transition to a cleaner energy future.

“Collaborating with Siemens, we were able to address real network challenges while preparing for the upcoming market-based flexibility framework. 

“The collaboration also gave us the opportunity to exchange experiences with other European DSOs, sharing best practices as we collectively shape the next phase of flexibility implementation.”

For telecom operators working at the intersection of digital infrastructure and energy systems, Siemens’ Gridscale X Flexibility Manager offers an example of how software-defined energy tools can play a role in securing power capacity and enabling continued rollout.