This briefing gives an introduction to smart grids in the UK
A Smart Grid is an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it – generators, consumers and those that do both – in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies.
(Reference EU SmartGrid Platform)
Smart Grid is not a single technology but an umbrella term that covers a multitude of different elements that together create a new vision for more intelligent and responsive energy systems.