This lecture introduces the 2018 edition of the SCCR Furies annual conference, focusing on quantifying and exploiting system flexibilities in the electricity market. The conference covers sessions on provision and auxiliary services, energy conversion devices, distribution systems, and operational tools. It also highlights the growth of the competence center, including active members, patents, spin-offs, prototypes, and collaborations with industry and public authorities. The keynote speakers from the European Energy Research Alliance and Elkham discuss the future of energy research and the evolution of trading frameworks in the Swiss electricity market.