Smart Grid Origins, Definitions, Technologies, and Emerging Trends: A Power Community Perspective

Authors

• Om Malik, University of Calgary
• Jay Liu, Exus Renewables NA
• Marcelo Simoes, Hope College
• Chris Dent, The University of Edinburgh
• Kai Strunz, Berliner Hochschule für Technik
• Jeffrey Wischkaemper, Texas A&M University
• Vladimiro Miranda, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science
• Trevor Gaunt, University of Cape Town
• Math Bollen, Luleå University of Technology
• Mladen Kezunovic, Texas A&M University
• Daniel Kirschen, University of Washington
• Antonio Gomez-Exposito, Universidad de Sevilla
• Robin Podmore, Incremental Systems Corporation
• Harold Kirkham, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Panayiotis Moutis, City College of New York
• Anjan Bose, Washington State University Pullman
• Ian Hiskens, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Gene Preston, Power Grid Studies
• Canbing Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Hasala Dharmawardena, North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Publication Source

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Volume Number

13

Issue Number

6

First Page

1845

Last Page

1853

ISSN

21965625

E-ISSN

21965420

Abstract

This paper captures an engaging—and at times heated-Power-Globe (PG) discussion of evolving definitions of smart grid technologies. The exchange took place between December 2024 and January 2025. The primary objective of this paper is to clarify some of the ambiguities surrounding the term “smart grid” over the past two decades, as highlighted in the spirited PG debate. “Smart grid” has sometimes been advocated as a panacea to resolve the tension between competing objectives for the provision of electricity (specifically, making it reliable, clean, and affordable). This paper examines the term “smart grid” in terms of raw technical functionalities, applications., and use cases, some of which may get closer than others to meeting the aspirational promises. While smart technology should expand our menu of options, it will not absolve us of the need to make hard decisions.

Keywords

application, definition, functionality, power system, Smart grid, ues case

Recommended Citation

Published in: Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, Volume 13, Issue 6, January 1, 2025, pages 1845-1853.