According to the European Commission (EC-Directorate for Energy) a smart grid is the electricity network that integrates the behavior and actions of all users connected to it (generators, consumers and those that do both), in order to ensure economically efficient, sustainable power system with low losses and high levels of quality and security of supply and safety. As smart grids allow the integration of decentralized renewable energy resources as well as electric vehicle recharging services, they are essential to ensure energy security, economic development and climate change mitigation. The integration of energy production and consumption component through the smart grid concept enables increased demand response and energy efficiency.

This event brings the latest experience from different perspectives on the developments needed for the efficient implementation of the smart grid. International and Irish experts will illustrate how diverse enabling technologies and resources can facilitate smart grid adoption, such as Hardware in the Loop Validation and Certification for Large Infrastructures, Semantic Interoperability and the Cybersecurity requirements. Secondly, NUIG scholars will present the latest advances on EU funded projects Gencomm and STEPS Capacity building in Smart and Innovative eNERGY management regarding hydrogen energy and storage technologies, key to ensure effective renewable energy generation and orchestration. Lastly, public sector (NUIG) and policy roadmap (SEAI) are brought to the discussion given the impact of the current energy crisis and the regulatory challenges ahead.
A final panel discussion moderated by Dr. Marcus M. Keane will spark conversation with the speakers bringing different insights and perspectives to shed light into the opportunities the deployment of the smart grid brings to the EU and Irish sustainable and secure energy supply.