The Smartgrid market | France

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The smartgrids are a "smart" electricity distribution networks which use information and computer technologies to optimize the production, distribution and consumption of electricity to improve energy efficiency. Smartgrids can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The global smartgrid market could reach more than $100 billion by 2023

Over the past ten years, more than 5 billion euros have been invested in approximately 300 projects related to smartgrids in Europe. The smart meter segment is experiencing a particularly strong growth, with €4 billion dedicated to their deployment over the past ten years. The number of new devices is increasing: energy boxes, home automation systems, consumption monitoring software, etc. However, business models are still uncertain: nearly 200 million smart meters for electricity and 45 million for gas will be deployed in the EU by 2020. In addition, 72% of European consumers will have a smart meter for electricity and around 40% for gas by 2020. These meters allow energy savings of about 3%

As smartgrids are located at the junction of various technologies, the market attracts various players: the electrical equipment manufacturers (ABB, Schneider, etc.) are the best positioned on the market and the engineering services companies information (SSII) also have a card to play. French players are mainly present via electrical equipment and there are fewer strong players on the ICT sector (software and computer services).

The powers audiences play a key role in the development of the smartgrid market. The EU thus supports several projects, which is a strong motivator for the market. The European directive resulting from the Climate and Energy package recommends that 80% of consumers be equipped with smart meters by 2020. Internationally, Sweden and Italy have established themselves as pioneers in the market