This book addresses the emerging trend of smart grids in power systems. It discusses the advent
of smart grids and selected technical implications further by combining the perspectives of
researchers from Europe and South America the book captures the status quo of and approaches
to smart grids in a wide range of countries. It describes the basic concepts enabling readers
to understand the theoretical aspects behind smart grid formation while also examining current
challenges and philosophical discussions. Like the industrial revolution and the birth of the
Internet smart grids are certain to change the way people use electricity. In this regard a
new term ¿ the ¿prosumer¿ ¿ is used to describe consumers who may sometimes also be energy
producers. This is particularly appealing if we bear in mind that most of the distributed power
generation in smart grids does not involve carbon emissions. At first glance the option of
generating their own power could move consumers to leave their current energy provider. Yet the
authors argue that doing so is not a wise choice: utilities will play a central role in this
new scenario and should not be ignored.
