The panel topics discussed in this presentation are: building a smarter grid is an incremental process of applying information and communications technologies to the electricity system, enabling more dynamic real-time flows of information on the network and more interaction between suppliers and consumers. So how will we ensure that the grid is observable, controllable, automated and integrated, and that the evolution is suitable for our needs? This high-level panel session examines the drivers, the funding initiatives and the issues crucial to the building of a successful infrastructure.