Impact of the SmartGrids concept on future distribution system investments in Slovenia

The paper focuses on evaluating the value of savings of the SmartGrids implementation in Slovenian distribution system network. Additional investments in the distribution system in order to connect distributed generation (DG) sources are needed for the achievement of Slovenia's environmental commitments. SmartGrids concept gives us an option to lower investment costs in the long term. However, additional investments in R&D and new equipment will be needed in the middle term of 10 years. This paper is the result of research in the Slovenian SmartGrids Roadmap (distribution network).