Since inception, the term “Smart Grid” has gained multiple evolving definitions. In retrospect, the industry can identify waves of investment that have shaped the grid into a smarter, more modern, and more intelligent entity to improve reliability, efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability.

These waves of investment include smart meters, distribution automation and grid management, consumer and grid analytics, and the integration of grid-scale renewables, distributed energy resources, and microgrids. In parallel, investments in enabling technologies such as communications, cybersecurity, physical security, digital substations, and operation and information technology (OT/IT) convergence have strengthened the grid.

Electricity Today Magazine and ABB explore these waves of Smart Grid technologies as well as the foundational grid investments.