Smart Grid Origins, Definitions, Technologies, and Emerging Trends: A Power Community Perspective

Abstract

This paper captures an engaging—and at times heated-Power-Globe (PG) discussion of evolving definitions of smart grid technologies. The exchange took place between December 2024 and January 2025. The primary objective of this paper is to clarify some of the ambiguities surrounding the term “smart grid” over the past two decades, as highlighted in the spirited PG debate. “Smart grid” has sometimes been advocated as a panacea to resolve the tension between competing objectives for the provision of electricity (specifically, making it reliable, clean, and affordable). This paper examines the term “smart grid” in terms of raw technical functionalities, applications., and use cases, some of which may get closer than others to meeting the aspirational promises. While smart technology should expand our menu of options, it will not absolve us of the need to make hard decisions.