Systemic Energy Grids: A Qualitative Approach to Smart Grids

The current energy system presents many functional, environmental, and social challenges, including the maximization paradigm, energy dependence, the environmental impacts of large energy plants, and the lack of awareness of end users. These challenges represent the major problems that affect the sustainability of our energy systems and point to necessary and unavoidable change. Turning to the use of Smart Grids has been commonly identified as the solution to this critical energy problem and scientific research is moving toward their development. However, there are technical and functional problems that remain as obstacles to their realization. The social and environmental impact of Smart Grids is often overlooked: The environmental impact of energy supply depends on energy resources and technologies as well as on the style of energy management and consumer awareness. The link with the local ecosystem and the participation of the end users are important and critical steps that need to be considered in the development of Smart Grids. The objective of this research is to define the main environmental and social issues of the current status of energy usage and resources and to trace a different path for a new, sustainable energy model that develops the potential of each community and those who belong to it. The goal is to produce a theoretical energy grid, centered on the needs of all actors, and reflective of the environmental and social dynamics of the community.