A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) says the widespread deployment of "smart grids" -- networks that monitor and manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources to meet the varying electricity demands of end users -- is crucial to achieving a more secure and sustainable energy future.

With current trends in the supply and use of energy becoming increasingly untenable -- economically, environmentally and socially -- the IEA believes smart grids can play a significant role in enabling nearly all clean energy technologies, including renewables, electric vehicles and energy efficiency.

The report, Smart Grids Technology Roadmap, provides a consensus view from more than 200 government, industry, academia and consumer representatives on the current status of smart grid technologies, and charts a course for expanding their use from today to 2050.

This report is the latest in the IEA‟s series of technology roadmaps to guide governments and industry on the actions and milestones needed to achieve the potential for the full set of clean energy technologies.

A Key Enabling Technology

As well as addressing current concerns with existing electricity systems, such as aging infrastructure and increasing peak demand, smart grids are an important element for expanding the use of a number of low-carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles. But governments need to multiply their efforts.

"We need to see a much more aggressive investment in large-scale regional pilots in order to deploy smart grids at the scale they are needed," said IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, speaking at the launch in Paris on 4 April.

"In addition to funding regional pilots, governments need to establish clear and consistent policies, regulations and plans for electricity systems that will allow innovative investment in smart grids. It will also be vital to gain greater public engagement. This can be done by educating all relevant stakeholders -- but especially customers and consumers -- about the need for smart grids and the benefits they can offer."

Deploying in Developing Countries

The report recommends that smart grids play a critical role in the deployment of new electricity infrastructure in developing countries and emerging economies.

As well as enabling more efficient operations, grids can also help to keep downward pressure on the cost of electricity, the report says.