2. Smart Grids – definition(s)

2.1 Vision of Smart Grids around the world

The term Smart Grids has never really been explicit, and many have placed content under it without ensuring that it was shared by all stakeholders.

Even a few years ago, energy industry players were differentiating between Smart Grids and Smart Meters. Today, for most players, the notion of Smart Meters is included in that of Smart Grids. Smart Meters are seen as components that enable useful upstream information to be fed back, and downstream services to be developed as a result.

A number of national and international agencies are becoming increasingly aware of the changes affecting the energy sector: power grids need to help reduce the carbon footprint of production sources (decentralized production...