Smart Grids from a Global Perspective

These contributions from leading researchers will enable readers to come to grips with this complexity and promise of smart grids, and to better understand the technical, social, economic, legal and psychological dimensions of smart grids. This work is designed as a series of chapters that examine distinct issues, while being integrated into an overarching discussion. The chapters are revised and expanded texts based upon lectures delivered at the Groningen Energy Summer School 2014 and are framed by an introduction by the editors, with additional pedagogical material at the end of each contribution. Smart grids are a complex phenomenon that involve new roles for consumers, novel social, political and cultural practices, advanced Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), new markets, security of supply issues, the informational turn in energy, valuation of assets and investments, technological innovation and (de)regulation. Furthermore, smart grids create new interfaces, in turn creating hybrid fields (i.e. smart grids are at the intersection of energy and mobility). A cross-disciplinary approach is invaluable to understand this complexity and the potential of smart grids.§