The smart grid of the future will allow for integration of renewable energy sources, and will reduce losses, improve efficiencies, increase grid flexibility, reduce power outages, allow for competitive electricity pricing, allow for integration of electric vehicles, and overall become more responsive to market, consumer and societal needs.

The coverage embraces: generation and network planning; reliability; long and short term operation; expert systems; neural networks; object oriented systems; system control centres; database and information systems; stock and parameter estimation; system security and adequacy; network theory, modelling and computation; small and large system dynamics; dynamic model identification; on-line control including load and switching control; protection; distribution systems; energy economics; impact of non-conventional systems; and man-machine interfaces.

As well as original research papers, the special issue publishes short contributions, book reviews and conference reports. All papers are peer-reviewed by at least two referees.