The creation of a flexible, efficient, digitized, dependable and resilient power grid may well be the best route to increasing energy efficiency & security, as well as boosting the potential of renewable & distributed power sources. However, there is still much confusion about the nature of the Smart Grid: What is it? What work needs to be accomplished in order to make it a reality? How will it benefit the drive to diversify energy resources? This book covers Smart Grids from A-Z, providing a complete treatment of the topic, covering both policy and technology, explaining the most recent innovations supporting its development, and clarifying how the Smart Grid can support the integration of Renewable Energy resources. Among the most important topics included are smart metering, renewable energy storage, plug-in hybrids, flexible demand response, strategies for offsetting intermittency issues, micro-grids for off-grid communities, and specific in-depth coverage of wind and solar power integration. The content draws lessons from an international panel of contributors, whose diverse experiences implementing smart grids will help to provide templates for success. If we intend to undertake a meaningful overhaul of the way the world uses energy resources, we ignore grid management issues at our peril. Ultimately, this important book examines what the integration challenges are, what technology and policy needs to be in place in order to support uptake, and what The Smart Grid can do to enable solutions.Provides critical information on the technological, design and policy issues that must be taken into account to ensure that the smart grid is implemented successfullyDemonstrates how smart grids can help utilities adhere to increased renewable portfolio standardsProvides examples of successful microgrid/smart metering projects from around the world that can act as templates for developers, operators and investors embarking upon similar projects