World Energy Perspective: Smart grids - best practice fundamentals for a modern energy system

The transition towards a low-carbon economy will change both the way power is produced and the way it is consumed. Smart grids are an essential element to facilitate this transformation and for achieving energy security, affordable energy and climate change mitigation—the three elements of the “energy trilemma”.

To help facilitate the deployment of smart grids, the World Energy Council (WEC) has put together this report to shed light on the current status of smart grids and the financing mechanisms for their development. The report aims to serve as a compendium of best practice examples of successful smart grid development in different countries (India, Japan, China, South Korea, Brazil, Europe and North America) and the factors contributing to their success with a special focus on funding mechanisms.

In the Annexes section, more detailed information is offered for each of the countries and regions.