12-04-2012 9:00 - 12:30
European Parliament Brussels - Altiero Spinelli (ASP) A5G3
Challenges arising from the large-scale deployment of Smart Grids in Europe
By enabling the use of a range of low-carbon technologies, such as variable renewable resources and electric vehicles and ensuring optimal use of electricity at the end-use level by meeting peak demand with an ageing infrastructure, Smart Grids are expected to address both energy supply and demand side issues, and notably to contribute to the 20/20/20 goals, particularly for what concerns Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency (EE).
Despite the considerable progress achieved over the past decade, it is generally agreed that five to ten further years are required for the technical potential of Smart Grids to fully materialize and for grid management to accordingly reach the expected improvements. The workshop will discuss the main challenges related to the large-scale deployment of smart grids in Europe, with emphasis on
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Technological issues and options, the analysis of trade-offs (distribution Vs centralized generation, storage options) and the smart grids impact overall energy efficiency on the network
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The new value chain business models envisaged for the Smart Grid era, the impacts on the actors involved and the regulatory changes that may be needed
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The financial and regulatory implications of smart grids deployment
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The policy perspective, and the societal involvement required to steer and rule the smart grids deployment
By enabling the use of a range of low-carbon technologies, such as variable renewable resources and electric vehicles and ensuring optimal use of electricity at the end-use level by meeting peak demand with an ageing infrastructure, Smart Grids are expected to address both energy supply and demand side issues, and notably to contribute to the 20/20/20 goals, particularly for what concerns Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency (EE).