A Dynamic Process to Identify the National Smart Grid Research &Innovation Status and Priorities

This paper proposes an efficient and dynamic process to evaluate the smart grid research and innovation (R&I) activities in the EU Member States (MS) at the national level where the R&I status of smart grid technologies is identified by analysing the outcomes of completed projects and R&I priorities are extracted from the national energy and climate plan (NECP). Throughout the process, interaction with stakeholders is also very important to identify the R&I needs, verify the outcomes and hence be included in the process. The evaluation outcomes, including the identified technological gaps, can be exploited further to strengthen the action plan of decarbonising the smart grid network at the national level. The proposed process can also be implemented at a regional level to achieve the regional targets. This paper validates the proposed approach by presenting the findings at national and regional levels of three Member States (MS).