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Abstract: The twenty-first century is expected to bring challenges for energy systems across the globe. Most significantly the continued growth in worldwide population and increased use of consumer goods will create significantly greater electricity demand requirements, which must be met amidst pressures to reduce carbon emissions, retain security of supply and improve national cost competitiveness. It is indeed these challenges that have highlighted the importance of a clean, reliable electricity supply and encouraged many countries to invest in electricity grid infrastructure in an effort to move towards the development of a ‘Smart Grid’. The requirement to develop an Irish smart grid has therefore been pushed up the energy policy agenda and has resulted in significant national commitments to investment in electricity system infrastructure. This paper investigates the current state of play with Smart Grid in Ireland, including the changing landscape in which distributed energy generation is emerging. It will consider how these global challenges are affecting Ireland and also the policy issues surrounding smart grid, renewable energy and distributive generation development in Ireland. The paper will conclude that Ireland is currently well placed within the global smart grid industry and will continue to demonstrate its capability in relation to smart grid.

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