Smart Grids Roadmap - Smart Grid Sherpa

Group (ECG). These IAs develop and deliver broadknowledge about the electricity system as a wholealong the entire value chain on an internationallevel. The ECG enables those working underrelated IAs to learn what others are studying anddetermine ways to analyse aspects that cut acrossseveral technology areas; this is especially relevantfor smart grids. The need for an implementingagreement focus on smart grids is currently underconsideration.Table 9. Electricity sector focus for IEA ECG Implementing AgreementsSmart gridsGeneration Transmission Distribution End-userHybrid andElectric VehiclesElectricity Networks Analysis,Research & DevelopmentEnergy Conservation through Energy StorageOcean Energy SystemsIEA GHG R&D ProgrammeHigh-Temperature Superconductivityon the Electric Power SectorPhotovoltaic Power SystemsWind Energy SystemsRenewable Energy Technology DeploymentDemand-Side ManagementHybrid andElectric VehiclesEfficient ElectricalEnd-Use EquipmentNote: The diagram indicates the primary area of the electricity system where the IA focuses. Most IAs engage with sectors beyondthose indicated. Website addresses can be found on page 48.Smart grid collaborationand developing countriesSmart grids can provide significant benefits fordeveloping countries that are building up electricitysystem infrastructure. In some cases, the solutionsapplied in developed countries will be appropriate;in others, targeted approaches will be required.Collaboration between developing and developedcountries can provide the basis for identifyingproblems and solutions.Some countries have already started to pursuesmart grid activities and some of these effortsinclude international collaboration. However,other countries need to be more activelyengaged, through information-sharing effortsabout the benefits and best practices of smartgrids. Roadmaps tailored to a set of needscommon to many developing countries – suchas rural electrification and island-based systems– would provide much value. These roadmapscould identify the barriers to wider technologydeployment and the means to overcome them,including regulation, policy, finance, and targetedtechnology development and business models.Additionally, targeted energy system modelling,standards development, legislation precedentsand capacity building would help identify andprioritise developing country specific needsand advance technology deployment (Bazilian,2011). International platforms such as ISGAN andGSGF, as well as the United Nations IndustrialDevelopment Organisation and other organisationsfocusing on developing country needs, could beused to help capacity-building efforts and to sharelessons learned and experiences.42 Technology Roadmaps Smart grids© OECD/IEA, 2010