Rena Kuwahata has been working in the electric power sector for 20 years, dedicated to renewables integration into power grids and markets. From compliance testing of power plants and assessment of transmission losses in Australia, to ensuring the robustness of European power grid planning and operation, her career has spanned continents and from technical to policy levels. Now, since joining the IEA last year, she has been leading the agency’s work on regional interconnection for decarbonisation and enhancing energy security.