The Thematic Action Line “Smart Energy Systems” of EIT ICT Labs has set itself the task to develop a Europe-wide joint approach of academic and industrial resources in the ICT sector in Smart Energy Management and Green ICT Management. The Smart Grid – the application of digital technology to the electric power infrastructure - has reached a level of scientific and commercial maturity with enormous benefits for customers, paybacks for utilities, and profits for investors.

The paradigmatic change from the fully controllable, powerful point sources in the classical power grid to the distributed area sources of alternative energy sources – such as wind and solar – as well as the bidirectional load management e.g. for E-Cars in the Smart Grid calls for new qualities in the system-wide aggregation and processing of basic data. This concerns the technical hallmarks of the Smart Grid such as virtual power plants and adaptive balancing geographies as well as the human factor on the consumption side, the aptly named but still elusive Smart Customer. As the power grid becomes ICT-integrated, at the same time, the ubiquitous ICT networks become energy-aware.

End - to - end Consumption Metrics of ICT delivery chains will be studied in detail to provide systemic insights into the structures of energy consumption. Combined with use case analyses and forecasts studies, a delta analysis will reveal the relevant research and development challenges formulated in a comprehensive project.