As demand-side flexibility moves from niche innovation to a core pillar of Europe’s energy transition, the questions facing the sector are becoming more complex, and more contentious. Business models are evolving, markets are consolidating, customer engagement remains a challenge, and the industry’s assumptions are being tested in real time.
To create space for these conversations, smartEn launched What the Flex!: a new interactive debate format that moves beyond traditional panel discussions. In this session, which was hosted at The Smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, rather than delivering prepared presentations, participants were challenged to respond to provocative questions, defend their positions, and debate some of the biggest issues facing flexibility markets today.
