Low carbon economy and smart grids.

Summary Smart grids deployment is ongoing, providing data electricity system needs to achieve efficiency and environmental goals. This process also relies on specific regulation schemes and depends on technology adoption by consumers and on incentives for the flexibility efforts. Currently, regulation internalizes part or the overall risk of smart grids investments, future returns on investment being highly uncertain. Energy suppliers must create trust relationships with customer as to strengthen their technology acceptance and, thus, their involvement in demand response. Finally, market designs have to reward demand response and energy conservation behaviors, preserving incentives for consumers to adopt them.