The smart grid conversation has come to Italy. Recently, Business International (Fiera Milano Media’s business unit) organized the Italian Smart Grid Forum 2012 in Rome. The agenda included the future of smart electric networks in Italy, the challenges to be addressed in order to promote development, and the role of smart grid technology in support of the energy system.
According to the International Smart Grids Action Network (ISGAN), the current situation varies by geographical area according to data received from member countries, which include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherland, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
There are many reasons that lead nations to implement a smart grid. For developed countries, the smart grid’s spread is an inevitable development of energy networks, a growing integration of renewable resources, a chance to increase the efficiency and reliability of network, and a chance to provide differentiated and customized power based on the needs of users. However, for developing countries, the smart grids are an important opportunity to improve the reliability and efficiency of power delivery, and a way to reduce operation costs and losses.
According to the Joint Research Centre of Commissione Europea, the central role of electrical networks will be enhanced in the future: it is in guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and for the creation of its framework for financial support (9.1 billion euros for years 2014-2020), which will both be adopted by 2014.
Also, according to the Italian authority for power, energy and gas, Italy is one of the most advanced countries with regard to smart grid policy. Government adopts an incentive approach for output, so distributors are willing to test new technologies on their networks.
>> Antonella Cattaneo, [email protected], is a correspondant for Fiera Milano Media in Italy.
