Unicorn Systems was pleased to participate in this year’s edition of the Energy Trading Central and South Eastern Europe (ETCSEE) conference held in Budapest. As one of the region’s key energy events, ETCSEE brought together a wide range of industry professionals – from energy traders and analysts to technology providers and regulators – to create an ideal space to explore the future of power and gas trading.
As a major provider of advanced software solutions for the energy sector – including energy trading – the company actively contributed to the discussions. We used this opportunity to introduce our Lancelot software suite to a diverse and engaged audience of energy companies, trading firms, and system operators.
All Eyes on Digital Trading Tools
The atmosphere in Budapest confirmed a clear trend: Energy trading in Europe is becoming increasingly digital, data-driven, and complex. The need for better data integration, high-quality forecasts, and portfolio automation was a recurring topic in both presentations and informal discussions. These areas were reflected in the capabilities demonstrated with the Lancelot software suite.
We showcased how Lancelot supports trading companies in navigating the challenges of volatile markets, growing regulatory complexity, and the accelerating energy transition. The system is already in use across SEE and DACH markets, and continues to develop new functionalities. At the conference, we had the opportunity to demonstrate the new capabilities and real-world applications of our tools for power and gas portfolio management, streamlining trading, increasing scheduling efficiency, and reporting.
Advanced Forecasting as a Strategic Imperative
Another major theme of this year’s ETCSEE was the rising importance of forecasting in energy trading. As trading horizons shrink and market dynamics become more volatile, analysis traditional methods no longer suffice. Participants widely agreed that advanced forecasting capabilities are not only a competitive advantage but also a necessity.
In response to these market developments, we see a growing demand for advanced forecasting tools that not only handle large data sets but also incorporate machine learning and AI capabilities. Modern ETRM systems are expected to go far beyond trade capturing – they need to support dynamic portfolio optimisation, risk assessment, and scenario modelling in real time.
The role of AI in energy forecasting emerged as a topic of strong interest among participants. In our presentation “Boosting Energy Trading with AI-driven Predictions”, we shared how machine learning algorithms can enhance the accuracy of short-term predictions, reduce forecasting bias, and empower traders to make faster, more informed decisions. During the presentation, we demonstrated practical use cases from our Lancelot FMS solution, showing how AI can be seamlessly integrated into daily trading operations.
Growing Demand for Integrated Solutions
Throughout the event, we engaged in meaningful discussions with market participants about their priorities for the future. Many of the traders and portfolio managers we spoke with emphasised the growing pressure to manage increasingly volatile markets. A clear takeaway was the growing demand for integrated, modular solutions that seamlessly combine ETRM functionalities with forecasting, scheduling, and regulatory reporting. This trend aligns with the modular architecture of the Lancelot platform, designed to support different market needs. Unlike fragmented solutions that require costly integrations, Lancelot offers a unified platform that evolves with your trading needs and regional specifics.
Looking Ahead
The conference provided new insights and connections, underlining the need for systems able to meet evolving market challenges. We also had the chance to meet many of our existing partners and customers, discuss ongoing collaborations, and identify new areas of potential cooperation. ETCSEE proved again to be an important community platform for sharing perspectives on the energy transition.
We’re thankful to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined our session, or shared insights with us during the event. We’re excited about the momentum and opportunities ahead – and we’re already following up with many of the companies we met to explore potential pilots and deeper cooperation.
The discussions we had at ETCSEE made it clear: A strong demand exists for smart, scalable, and future-proof solutions. As energy markets across Europe continue to evolve, Unicorn remains committed to helping trading companies stay ahead of the curve through technology and innovation. The discussion highlighted the growing demand for smart, scalable solutions to support trading desks across Europe.
Driving Digital Energy Trading: Unicorn at ETCSEE 2025 appeared first on Energy Live News.