Research Agenda for Europe's Electricity Networks of the Future

In April 2006 the Advisory Council of the Technology Platform of Future Electricity Networks presented their vision for SmartGrids. The well-spring for that vision arises from the joint challenges of lower carbon energy sources and the renewal of Europe s electricity grids that are fast approaching the end of their design lives. This presents landmark opportunities for the generation and use of electricity and the transport systems by which it is conveyed. Electricity market liberalisation provides a new context for these major developments and has been a key consideration in setting out a path for effective and efficient changes for the benefit of customers and all wider stakeholders. Following the publication of the SmartGrids vision the Advisory Council, supported and advised by 200 professionals from research institutes, universities, industry, regulators and utilities, have developed this Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) to be a resource for European and National programmes.