A smart, direct future
The 21st century will see DC coming back into favour. Modern DC systems can transmit up to five times more 
power across the same pylons and lines as AC systems. Given the increasing difficulties in obtaining permission for power lines in both urban and rural areas, HVDC may be the only solution for increasing capacity.
Smart Grid
When most people think of a network these days, they think of the Internet or phones. The communications revolution wouldn’t have happened if you still had to call an operator before getting connected to another person.
Likewise, tomorrow’s electricity network will have to be smarter, as it faces new demands. In particular, some of the challenges presented earlier require a transformation of electricity infrastructures towards Smart Grids in 
the next decade.
● Countries are trying to improve the energy efficiency in their grids, to support their booming markets or better respond to their citizens’ electricity consumption.
● Grid operators worldwide aim at achieving higher reliability for their networks to prevent blackouts.
● Integrating new renewable energies is becoming a priority with the increased importance of the fight against CO2 emissions.
Electricity networks have started responding to these challenges. They now increasingly integrate new information technologies, communication systems and power electronics.
The Smart Grid represents the evolution of the traditional electricity network: it is a new generation energy transmission and distribution network integrating advanced control, IT , telecommunications and power 
electronics technologies. It provides a real-time, two-way flow of energy and information across the entire electrical grid, from the power plant to the house of the individual consumer.
The Smart Grid secures and optimises the electricity flow across its entire journey. So, the grid is becoming fully dynamic, and electricity management is entering a new era, with unprecedented efficiency and stability.
As a pioneer and global leader in its field, Alstom Grid is committed to meeting these challenges, helping to shape the future of our electrical grids.