This paper outlines “the changing energy landscape and the manifold advantages smart grids entail for consumers, network operators, suppliers, renewable energy generators, new services providers, the environment and the economy.” Its three sections are titled (1) Increasing system flexibility: Balancing supply and demand by integrating distributed energy resources, (2) Lifting barriers: To the deployment of smart grids, and (3) Facilitating the market: How active DSOs will operate the smart grid.