ESMAP Knowledge Exchange & Study Tour on Grid Digitalization and Cybersecurity in Italy

Thursday, May 21 | L'Aquila | Grids Italy Training Center

At Arrival | Welcome Coffee

10:00 - 11:00 | Session 2.1: Strategic Overview of Electricity Distribution

1. Introduction to Enel Grids
2. Enel and regulatory framework
3. DSO opportunities and challenges (grid resilience, big data and planning, smart grids and Advanced Metering Infrastructure)

Speakers

• Mena Testa, Head of Grid Studies and Positioning
• Alessio Marcelli, Head of Grids Analysis & Network Assessment
• Vito Bruno, Grid Studies and Positioning

11:00 - 11:15 | Coffee Break

11:15 - 13:15 | Session 2.2: Operational Insights from Grids Italy

1. Overview of DSO role within the Italian electricity system
2. Innovative technologies deployed on smart grids (AMI use cases, ADMS, data governance, etc.)
3. Operational insights: network operations and monitoring
4. Managing growing distributed generation on MV/LV networks
5. Power grid automation and implemented solutions

Speakers

• Dario Dall’Acqua, Head of the Network Operation and Management
• Gianluca Di Felice, Head of the Real Time Operation, Grids Italy
• Mattia Manno, Network Analyst, Grids Italy

13:15 - 14:00 | Lunch

14:00 - 16:30 | Site Visit 2: Grids Training Center

Hands-on exposure to smart city solutions, training systems, and digital substations.

• Barbara Zito, Head of the Teramo Territorial Unit, Grids Italy

Friday, May 22 | Rome | TERNA Office and National Control Center

9:30 - 9:40 | Opening Remarks

Quick overview of Terna, its role, industrial plan, and organizational structure.

• Mario Sinni, Head of International Public Affairs, TERNA

9:40 - 10:45 | Session 3.1: Terna Energy System Change and Grid Modernization

1. Power system evolution
2. Optimizing grid capacity
3. Modernized grids and flexible resources
4. Case studies from TERNA implementation experience

• Luca Marchisio, Head of Strategy, TERNA

10:45 - 11:00 | Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:00 | Session 3.2: Cybersecurity, Regional Networks, and Resilience

Cybersecurity for the modernized grid

1. Asset management
2. Grid resilience and climate adaptation for the transmission grid

• Luigi Balarano, Head of Cyber Security Awareness
• Alessandro Marga, Head of Cyber Defence Center
• Alberto Della Rata, Head of Cyber Security Governance, Strategy & Awareness

Asset Management

• Marco Bicetti, Head of Asset Intelligence

Grid Resilience and Climate Adaptation for the Transmission Grid

• Alessandro Lazzarini, Head of Asset Intelligence

12:00 - 13:15 | Session 3.3: New Technologies, New Skills for Utilities

1. Skills required for utilities in the Energy Transition and increased digitalization
2. New skills needs and recruitment at TERNA
3. Capacity building of the current workforce at TERNA
4. Emerging hybrid competencies for the Energy Transition: insights from the T-Lab Master Program

• Emanuela Lupino, Head of TERNA Academy
• Giorgio Giannuzzi, Head of System Engineering, TERNA
• Valerio Morelli, Head of System Development and Process Technologies Initiatives, TERNA

13:15 - 14:00 | Lunch

14:00 - 14:30 | Session 3.4: Country Spotlight

Country experiences on digitalization, DER integration, and operational challenges.

• Kabir Malik, Senior Energy Economist, Global Energy Department, World Bank Group (Moderator)
• David Yepes, General Manager, Network Management Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), Kenya
• Juan David Molina, Strategy and Management Leader, Colombia Inteligente, Colombia
• Mateo Cortés, Distribution Network Advisor, Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission, Colombia
• Sumit Mukherjee, Director (Distribution), West Bengal Electricity Distribution Company Limited, India

14:30 - 15:00 | Site Visit 3.1: Introduction to Real-Time Operations

Visit the control room to observe real-time system operations and cybersecurity practices.

• Tommaso De Marco, National Control Center

15:00 - 16:00 | Site Visit 3.2: Visit to the National Control Center

Real-time operation control room for the monitoring and control of the National Electricity Grid and visit to the Market Operation Control Room for the management of dispatching services markets.

• Rosario Franzone, Market Specialist, Market Operation

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DAY 4 | Monday, May 25 | Milan | Ramada Plaza Hotel (Galleria Room) and Gridspertise Lab

9:00 - 9:45 | Session 4.1: Journey of Gridspertise and International Experience

• Luiz Gazilha, Head of Public Affairs and Partnerships, Gridspertise

9:45 - 11:15 | Session 4.2: AMI Technology Showcase

1. Overview of features and technology (AMI 2.0 / hybrid grid)
2. Deployment experience
3. Business models
4. Unlocking full value for customers and use cases
5. Cybersecurity and data management/governance

• Gianni Ceneri, Chief Technology Officer, Gridspertise

11:15 - 12:15 | Session 4.3: Country Spotlight

Country experiences and priorities in grid digitalization and modernization.

• Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director Energy, World Bank Group (Moderator)
• Macdonald Nazombe, Chief Process Improvement & Innovations Officer, Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM)
• Farruh Heybatov, Director of International Cooperation Department, Azerishiq Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC)
• Manu Vuthy, Electricite Du Cambodge, Deputy Director, ICT Security and Infrastructure, ICT Department
• Fatoumata Bintou Diallo, Cybersecurity Specialist Engineer, SENELEC, Senegal

12:15 - 13:15 | Lunch

13:15 - 14:30 | Session 4.4: Grid Digitalization and Automation

1. General overview
2. Benefits for stakeholders
3. Innovations in LV
4. Identifying and Managing DERs

• Paolo Bassani, Head of Grid VP Management, Gridspertise

14:30 - 15:00 | Session 4.5: Fireside Chat

• Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director Energy, World Bank Group
• Hakan Ozmen, CEO, Gridspertise

15:00 - 17:00 | Site Visit 4: Smart Meter and Grid Virtual Devices Labs

Practical exposure to AMI and grid technologies in a lab environment.

Labs in 4 groups: 1 grid, 2 metering, one metering control room.

Welcome by Hakan Ozmen, Chief Executive Officer, Gridspertise

DAY 5 | Tuesday, May 26 | Milan | CESI and RSE

9:00 - 11:15 | Session 5.1: Global Experiences & Network Communication and Cybersecurity

1. Global trends and approaches to utility digitalization/grid modernization.
2. Integrating cybersecurity into infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
3. Capacity building and institutional readiness for digital utility transformation.
4. Developing secure communication interfaces for grid devices to support advanced automation, interoperability, and cyber resilient operations.
5. Digitalization roadmaps: Developing Advanced Metering Infrastructures, including interoperability and data governance / use.
6. Grid resilience and Loss Reduction approaches.

Speakers

• Massimo Salvetti, Power Transmission Operation Director, CESI
• Aldo Curtoni, Product Leader for SCADA and Operation Technology, CESI
• Francesco Cappuccio, Product Leader AMI, CESI
• Alessio Cipullo, Head of Public Affairs for Italy and the EU (Moderator)

11:15 - 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 - 12:15 | Session 5.2: Country Spotlights

Country presentations on digitalization challenges and priorities.

• Fanny Missfeldt-Ringius, ESMAP Manager, World Bank Group (Moderator)
• Mohammad Jaradat, Control Systems Manager, National Electric Power Company, Jordan
• Gene Sejdiu, Director for Network Development and Projects, KOSTT, Kosovo
• Joëlle Mpinganzima, Director of ICT, Energy Utility Corporation Limited, Rwanda

12:15 - 12:30 | Reflections

• Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director Energy, World Bank Group

12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch

13:30 - 14:00 | Session 5.3: Introduction to the Lab Visits

Design and testing of secure communication systems to support automation, interoperability, and cyber-resilient grid operations.

• Giampiero Montagna, Head of Digital Innovation, CESI

14:00 - 14:30 | Coffee Break + Labs Visit Prep

14:30 - 16:30 | Site Visit 5.1: CESI-KEMA Testing Labs

Rotational visit (five groups alternating) of CESI and RSE laboratories, showcasing testing of high-voltage cables, battery systems, and distributed energy technologies, including storage and renewables, with a focus on validation and grid resilience.

1. High Voltage Cable Testing (CESI)
2. Battery Testing Lab (CESI)
3. Anechoic Chamber (CESI)
4. LV Distributed Generation Test Facility Lab (RSE)
5. RSE Battery Laboratory (RSE)

DAY 6 | Wednesday, May 27 | Milan | Ramada Hotel (Galleria Room)

9:00 - 9:30 | Session 6.1: Fireside Chat: Strategies for Digital Grids for Renewable Energy Integration

1. Introduction to RSE and main activities
2. Grid digitalization for renewable energy sources integration
3. Digital tools for planning of the future energy system

• Fanny Missfeldt-Ringius, ESMAP Manager, World Bank Group (Moderator)
• Luca Martini, Director of the Generation Technologies and Materials Department, RSE
• Michele De Nigris, Director of the Sustainable Development and Energy Sources Department, RSE

9:30 - 10:30 | Session 6.2: Technical Deep Dive: Digitalization, Cybersecurity and DERs Evolution (RSE)

1. Digitalization, ICT and AI Solutions for Modern Electric Power Grids
2. Cybersecurity priorities and challenges in the digital energy transition
3. Advantages of adopting a holistic view in the planning of the future energy systems
4. Energy storage systems for the energy transition

• Alessio Pastore, Energy Consultant, ESMAP, World Bank Group
• Giuseppe Mauri, Head of Research Group, RSE
• Giovanna Dondossola, Project Manager, RSE
• Gianluigi Migliavacca, Project Manager, RSE
• Enrica Micolano, Project Manager, RSE

10:30 - 10:45 | Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:30 | ENEL Commercial (Virtual)

ENEL Commercial experience on Demand Side Aggregation and Flexibility

• Kabir Malik, Senior Energy Economist, Global Energy Department, World Bank Group (Moderator)
• Paul Troughton, Senior Director of Enel Commercial in UK

11:30 - 12:00 | Session 6.3: Country Spotlights

Country presentations on digitalization challenges and priorities.

• Anders Pedersen, Senior Energy Specialist, ESMAP, World Bank Group
• Doumbia Ladji Mory, Head of Service, Chief of Cybersecurity Project, CI Energies, Côte d’Ivoire
• Marek Kwiatkowski, Director of Security and Monitoring Affairs, Georgian State Electrosystem
• Octavian Ciobaru, Deputy General Director, Company Policy Directorate, Electrica, Moldova

12:00 - 13:30 | Session 6.4: Taking Stock and Next Steps

Synthesis of key lessons, country reflections, and priorities for digital transformation moving forward. Spotlight on each country and feedback from other delegations, as well as technical experts.

• Moderated by the ESMAP Team

13:30 - 15:00 | Lunch

15:00 - 17:00 | Bilateral Meetings (Optional)

End of the Study Tour

Enel Grids | Country Spotlight: Kenya, Colombia, and India

Quick Overview of Terna | Terna: Energy System Change and Grid Modernization | Cybersecurity for the Modernized Grid | Asset Management | Grid Resilience and Climate Adaptation for the Transmission Grid | New Technologies, New Skills for Utilities | Introduction to Real-Time Operation: Control Center Room | Market Operation Room

Gridspertise | Country Spotlight: Cambodia, Malawi, Senegal, and Azerbaijan | The Digital Future Landscape | Securing Digital Transformation for a Resilient Power Sector | Senegal Country Spotlight

CESI Site Tour | Digital Grids & System Operations in the Data Era | Country Spotlight: Jordan, Kosovo, and Rwanda | Jordan Country Spotlight

Demand-Side Flexibility in Practice | Cybersecurity | IoT Laboratory | Multi-Energy Systems | Country Spotlight: Moldova, Georgia, and Côte d’Ivoire | Georgia Country Spotlight