Below is an exerpt from Smart Energy Networks: Progress and Prospects. 

"As energy systems across Canada continue to change, catalysed by both technological advances and market transformations, the possibilities of using advanced information and communication technologies to identify beneficial synergies across diverse fuels and infrastructures similarly grow. With world-leading energy technology industries and a broad portfolio of energy resources, Canada seems to be uniquely positioned to explore - and to potentially benefit from - increased deployment of systems that use multiple fuels in an integrated manner. Such systems we call 'smart energy networks'.

Smart energy networks use advanced information and communication technology to monitor and manage the transport of energy from multiple fuel sources to meet the varying energy service demands of end users.

The purpose of this White Paper is to provide an overview of smart energy networks, focusing upon developments that have occurred and the potential that exists. More specifically, it aims to answer the following sets of key questions (with reference to the appropriate section of this White Paper in parentheses):

1. What are smart energy networks? To what extent are they defined differently than other terms often used in energy policy discussions? What distinguishes smart energy networks from other energy configurations? What does the term have to do with current energy policy discussions in Canada? (Section I)
2. Where can smart energy networks be found around the world? What do some of the best-developed examples look like? Do smart energy networks currently exist in Canada? Who is attempting to inventory all relevant activities? (Section II)
3. As a number of smart energy networks continue to be developed, are common themes arising? What are these, and how might they impact the prospects for smart energy networks in the future? (Section III)
4. In summary, what has been the progress on smart energy networks, and what are the most relevant prospects? Accordingly, what should be done next, and by whom? (Conclusions and Recommendations)

By covering these issues, this White Paper aims to advance understanding of smart energy networks: what they are (and what they are not), how they operate, how they might be encouraged and discouraged, and what the next steps - in an informed, exploratory Canadian discussion on their potential - should be."

Download Smart Energy Networks: Progress and Prospects.