On 12 April 2011, the European Commission has adopted the Communication "Smart Grids: from innovation to deployment".

The Communictaion sets policy directions to drive forward the deployment of future European electricity networks.

Estimates show that smart electricity grids should reduce CO2 emissions in the EU by 9% and the annual household energy consumption by 10%. They also help to ensure secure functioning of the electricity system and are a key enabler of both the internal energy market and integration of vast amounts of renewable.

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