The managers of large electricity grids on the road to energy transition

Despite differences in their organization, geographical location and economic background, all the grid operators have a common concern. The rapid rise in consumption, first during the 20. century in the industrialized countries, then more recently in the emerging economies, has been rendered possible by the construction of a large number of power stations, often far from the consuming areas that they serve, requiring the build up of more and more complex grids involving transmission lines and interconnection stations. Today, the main challenges facing grid operators are: 1) the limits of the present infrastructures, 2) the long administrative procedure for the construction of new lines, 3) the hybrid systems combining high voltage and very high voltage, 4) the integration of new means for the production of electricity, 5) the integration of electrical vehicles, 6) the storage of energy, 7) financing, 8) common standards, and 9) mutual assistance