Understanding the Smart Grid

The 2nd Edition of Research Reports International's Understanding the Smart Grid is a 45-page report which seeks to provide a thorough understanding of what the Smart Grid is and the changes it will bring about in the electric industry.

The current grid in the United States is based on technology that was invented more than one hundred years ago. Today, it is inefficient, congested, and incapable of meeting the future energy needs of the Information Economy without changes in operations and investment of significant capital over the next several decades. To meet the challenges of the future, the grid must undergo a transition from a centralized, producer-controlled network to a decentralized, user-interactive one. Not only will the technology involved in the electric grid change, but the entire business model of the industry will change too.

Understanding the Smart Grid provides electric industry participants with the knowledge they need to begin implementing the Smart Grid. Topics covered in the report include:

• Overview of the characteristics that define the Smart Grid
• Identification of the components that make up the Smart Grid
• Analysis of deficiencies of the current grid and the need for new investment
• Discussion of how the Smart Grid differs from the current grid
• Identification of the key concepts involved in transitioning to a Smart Grid
• Analysis of the benefits of a Smart Grid for both market participants and society in general
• Evaluation of the impact of the Smart Gird on electric industry participants
• Discussion of utility efforts to implement the Smart Grid
• Discussion of industry efforts to develop standards for and support implementation of the Smart Grid
• Identification of government legislation to support development of the Smart Grid

• Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Objective
  • Value
  • Scope
  • Overview of The Smart Grid
  • What Is The Smart Grid?
  • What Are The Components of The Smart Grid?
  • Why Is The Smart Grid Needed?
  • Changes Brought about by The Smart Grid
  • Benefits of The Smart Grid
  • Impact of The Smart Grid
  • Utilities Implementing The Smart Grid
  • Centerpoint Energy
  • Dominion Virginia Power
  • Duke Energy Indiana
  • Oncor
  • Pacific Gas and Electric
  • San Diego Gas and Electric
  • Southern California Edison
  • Xcel Energy
  • Industry Groups Working on The Smart Grid
  • Advanced Distribution Automation
  • Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions
  • Drbiznet
  • Dynamic Energy Management Initiative
  • Federal Smart Grid Task Force
  • Galvin Electricity Initiative
  • Gridapp Consortium
  • Gridwise
  • Gridwise at Pnnl
  • Doe Gridwise Program
  • Gridwise Alliance
  • Gridwise Architecture Council
  • Gridworks
  • Intelligent Utility Network Coalition
  • Intelligrid
  • Modern Grid Strategy
  • Openami
  • Smart Energy Alliance
  • Utilityami
  • Government Efforts to Legislate A Smart Grid
  • The Energy Policy Act of 2005
  • Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007