smart grid

Introduction of smart Grid

There is a pressing need to accelerate the

development of low-carbon energy technologies

in order to address the global challenges of

energy security, climate change and economic

growth. Smart grids are particularly important

as they enable several other low-carbon energy

technologies, including electric vehicles, variable

renewable energy sources and demand response.

This roadmap provides a consensus view on the

current status of smart grid technologies, and maps

out a global path for expanded use of smart grids,

together with milestones and recommendations for

action for technology and policy development.

What are smart grids?

A smart grid is an electricity network that uses

digital and other advanced technologies to

monitor and manage the transport of electricity

from all generation sources to meet the varying

electricity demands of end-users. Smart grids

co-ordinate the needs and capabilities of all

generators, grid operators, end-users and

electricity market stakeholders to operate all parts

of the system as efficiently as possible, minimising

costs and environmental impacts while maximising

system reliability, resilience and stability.

For the purposes of this roadmap, smart grids

include electricity networks (transmission

and distribution systems) and interfaces with

generation, storage and end-users.1 While

many regions have already begun to “smarten”

their electricity system, all regions will require

significant additional investment and planning

to achieve a smarter grid. Smart grids are an

evolving set of technologies that will be deployed

at different rates in a variety of settings around

the world, depending on local commercial

attractiveness, compatibility with existing

technologies, regulatory developments and

investment frameworks.

Rationale for smart grid technology

The world’s electricity systems face a number

of challenges, including ageing infrastructure,

continued growth in demand, the integration of

increasing numbers of variable renewable energy

sources and electric vehicles, the need to improve

the security of supply and the need to lower carbon

emissions. Smart grid technologies offer ways not

just to meet these challenges but also to develop a

cleaner energy supply that is more energy efficient,

more affordable and more sustainable.