Smart power grids - a perfect solution, or just a fashion

The increase of the electric power demand is at the level 2 - 3% per year, and in some regions of the world may become much higher. In the same time the infrastructure of power systems develop much slower. The smart grid technology is to use modern telecommunication and informatics to bridge the gap. The aim is to integrate generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of the electrical energy to supply the power in reliable, safe, economic way with consideration of the environmental requirements.
The technology consists of four main parts:
* Management of demand.
* Operational control of generation, transmission and distribution.
* Protective devices of the new generation (adaptive and wide area).
* Self healing and fast restitutions after system breakdowns.