Introduction and Overview

Abstract

The policy challenges associated with global warming, the prospect of increasingly expensive fossil fuels, and the recent re-emergence of serious concerns about the safety of nuclear power after the Fukushima accident in Japan are encouraging many western and Asian economies to develop smart grids (SGs) as a component of their energy policy portfolios. This introductory chapter first discusses the evolving definitions of SGs, and the five major applications of these technologies. We will then provide an energy sector outlook, highlighting the major energy developments in the near future that may affect SG deployment. We will conclude with an overview of the objectives and structure of the book.