EU Initiatives

There are several initiatives intending to foster research in Smart Grids at European level. The aim of this section is to highlight the most relevant ones and give an overview of the European Framework.

First, there is a very important iniciative which encompasses a wide variety of actions, which is the SET-Plan: a strategic plan to accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective low carbon technologies. This includes the Information System of the SET-Plan (SETIS) and the European Energy Reseach Alliance. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the EU’s approach focuses on the European Industrial Initiatives (EII). One of these initiatives is focused on the Smart Grids sector and this is: The European Electricity Grid Initiative (EEGI).

Each European Industrial Initiative (EII) has its own EII-Team which, under the overall guidance of the Steering Group of the SET Plan, is composed by Industry, European Commission and Member States and when necessary other relevant stakeholders (research, financial communities, etc.).

Furthermore, in order to implement and to support the networking process of the EEGI over the years 2012-2014, an insteresting project called GRID+ is being developed.

Second, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)'s Governing Board designated the program KIC InnoEnergy as a Knowledge and Innovation Community. The priority area which this KIC addresses is sustainable energy.

Finally, this section provides a brief description of the regulatory framework and the development of Smart Grids standards at European level.