Developed with Accenture, this World Economic Forum report examines smart grids as a key enabler for a low-carbon economy.

The report looks at the crucial role pilot projects can play in accelerating the adoption of smart grids and shaping a regulatory framework for them.

Researchers observed three broad trends:

• The rise of smart grid as an industrial imperative.
• The broadening of the smart grid concept to intelligent cities.
• The emergence of new entrants in the utility value chain.

The report reviews the trends and provides short-, medium- and long-term takeaways for a range of stakeholders.

The full report can be downloaded by clicking the arrow above. The executive summary is available at www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EN_SmartGrids_Pilots_ExecutiveSummary_2010.pdf.

For perspective on the report and its release, see Adam Aston's article "Is the US Losing the Leading Role in Smart Grid?" on GreenBiz.com.