One Grid. One World. One Team

That context is now changing. Electrification, distributed energy resources, and digitalization are reshaping the grid in ways that make traditional boundaries less meaningful. Distribution networks are no longer passive systems delivering power to consumers; they are becoming active, dynamic parts of the grid where generation, demand, storage, and flexibility increasingly interact. At the same time, digital technologies are providing the visibility and control needed to manage this growing complexity in real time.

What begins at the distribution level no longer stays there. It increasingly shapes how the entire system behaves.

This shift is also redefining transmission. Transmission system operators now work in an environment where flows are less predictable, where stability depends on resources connected far beyond the traditional transmission boundary, and active information exchange with distribution is essential for planning and operation. The responsibilities on both sides are evolving, along with the need for a more integrated approach.

It is impossible talking about transmission without talking about distribution, and just as difficult to understand distribution without considering its impact on the complete system. The reality is one where everything is connected, and where decisions in one part of the grid is influencing the whole.

This is not a future scenario - it is operational reality.

Across the CIGRE community, this shift is increasingly recognized. Distribution is no longer a secondary topic, but a central part of how the system evolves. One of CIGRE’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to bring together diverse perspectives and create a coherent view of the system as a whole. The opportunity now is to make that strength more visible and more intentional.

That is where the OneGrid initiative sits. Rather than introducing something entirely new, it builds on what already exists. CIGRE has always brought together expertise across the full value chain of the power system. What is changing is the need to connect this expertise more directly, reflecting how the system actually operates and engaging a broader range of participants shaping the grid in real time. At its core, OneGrid is about breaking traditional silos and enabling a more integrated system perspective.

In that sense, OneGrid is less about defining something new and more about setting a clear direction. It reflects a shift toward thinking in terms of the integrated power system and toward working in a way that naturally aligns different parts of the community. As the system continues to evolve, so will the ways in which we organize technical work, engage stakeholders, and address emerging challenges.

The most immediate way to make this vision tangible will be at the CIGRE Paris Session 2026 through the OneGrid Interactive Pavilion in Room 243.

The Pavilion will serve as an interactive space bringing together Study Committees, National Committees, and external partners to exchange perspectives and build connections across traditionally separate parts of the power system. Designed as an open and accessible environment rather than a traditional exhibition, it will allow visitors to move freely through thematic areas reflecting key challenges facing the grid today.

Conversations will take place continuously rather than at fixed times. Visitors will be able to join discussions, explore ideas, and connect with others from across the community. Whether someone spends ten minutes or an hour there, the goal is that they leave with a clearer understanding of how the system is evolving and how different parts of the grid must work together.

What makes the Pavilion important is that it demonstrates the idea of One Grid does not need to remain conceptual. It can be experienced, discussed, and developed in a practical and immediate way. It also creates a space where all – new and traditional - voices can more easily join the conversation, whether they come from distribution, transmission operators, industry, academia, or emerging areas of the power sector.

Looking ahead, the ambition is to continue building on this momentum. The goal is not to replace what CIGRE already does well, but to strengthen it by making the integrated system perspective more visible and more reflective of the challenges the industry is addressing. That includes ensuring that distribution is clearly represented, that technical work reflects real system interactions, and that engagement extends across the full range of stakeholders shaping the future grid.

This will not be a sudden transformation. It is a gradual process that will develop through collaboration, shared experience, and continued dialogue across the community. What is clear, however, is that the system itself is no longer divided in the way it once was. It is interconnected, dynamic, and increasingly shaped by interactions across all voltage levels. Recognizing that reality - and aligning with itis what OneGrid is about.

One Grid. One World. One Team.

This article reflects the collective perspective of the OneGrid Core Team, bringing together experience from across the CIGRE community and all parts of the power system. The initiative is being coordinated to support alignment, connect perspectives, and help inform decision-making across CIGRE as the initiative evolves