In this chapter, the concept of Smart Grids is introduced. The background of this concept is covered in Section 1.1. This is followed by an extensive literature survey of the definition of the “Smart Grid”which is given in Section 1.2. A comprehensive definition of the Smart Grid may read: A smart grid is an electricity network that uses digital and other advanced technologies, such as cyber-secure communication technologies, automated and computer control systems, in an integrated fashion to be able to monitor and intelligently and securely manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources both traditional and renewable to economically meet the varying electricity demands of end-users. The characteristics of the Smart Grid as reported by important players in this field are discussed in Section 1.3. The identified Smart Grid's characteristics depend on the approach used by different organizations/authors. The widely adopted approaches for identifying Smart Grid characteristics are based on (i) functionality approach and (ii) broad approach. The benefits of Smart Grids as reported in literature are covered in Section 1.4. This includes technical benefits, environment benefits, and electricity marketing benefits. Section 1.5 is devoted to the Smart Grid vision and its realization. Two types of Smart Grid visions have been identified in literature; an overall vision and a relatively detailed vision developed by the IEEE Computer Society. In this context, the definition of Smart Grid vision, based on the vision of the grid in 2030 that has been developed by the Department of Energy in the USA, has been adopted. Finally, examples of Smart Grid projects considered/executed in different parts of the world, including Europe, the USA, and China are outlined in Section 1.6.

Chapter Contents:

• 1.1 Background and history of Smart Grid evolution
• 1.2 Definition of the Smart Grid
• 1.3 Characteristics of the Smart Grid
• 1.4 Smart Grid benefits
• 1.5 Smart Grid vision and its realization
• 1.5.1 Definition of Smart Grid vision
• 1.5.2 The IEEE Computer Society Smart Grid Vision
• 1.5.2.1 Architectural concepts layer 1
• 1.5.2.2 Functional concepts layer 2
• 1.5.2.3 Technological concepts layer 3
• 1.6 Examples of Smart Grid projects/initiatives
• 1.6.1 US Smart Grid efforts
• 1.6.1.1 IntelliGrid SM
• 1.6.1.2 GridWise
• 1.6.2 European Smart Grid efforts
• 1.6.3 China's Smart Grid efforts
• 1.7 Summary
• References

Inspec keywords: renewable energy sources; power generation control; power engineering computing; power generation economics; power markets; computer network security; smart power grids

Other keywords: Department of Energy; electricity marketing benefits; China; smart grid; electricity demands; electricity network; IEEE Computer Society; generation sources; computer control systems; USA; Europe; cyber-secure communication technologies; automated system

Subjects: Power engineering computing; Computer networks and techniques; Power system management, operation and economics; Data security; Control of electric power systems; Energy resources; Computer communications