Survey of smart grids concepts worldwide

The objective of this report is to compile various smart grid concepts, architectures and details of associated technologies implemented worldwide. The survey is based on initiatives taken by EU and IEA (e.g. ETP, EEGI, EERA and IEA DSM) and description of projects conducted in Europe and US (e.g. FENIX, ADDRESS, EU-DEEP, ADINE, GridWise and SEESGEN-ICT). The report presents drivers, visions and roadmaps to develop smart grids in US, China and India. The survey encompasses various smart grid concepts, i.e. development of virtual power plant, active demand in consumer networks, DER aggregation business, active distribution network and ICT applications to develop intelligent future grids. The comparison is carried out on the basis of commercial, technological and regulatory aspects. In addition, the existing features of smart grid technology and challenges faced to implement it in Finnish environment are addressed. As a matter of fact, the implementation of smart grid is consisting of more than any one technology, therefore, this transition will not be so easy. In the end, a fully realised smart grid will be beneficial to all the stakeholders. Smart grid is an evolution towards an optimised and sustainable energy system which is more intelligent, efficient and reliable and it has positive influence on the climate change.