Beyond smart grids – The need of intelligent energy networks for a higher global efficiency through energy vectors integration

From the energy point of view, the season we have been living more and more seems the era of sources diversification. The most correct scenario for a sustainable energy future foresees no predominance of one source over the others in any area of the world but a proper energy mix, based on locally available resources and needs.The concept and role of energy vectors is key: “(an energy vector) allows transfer, in space and time, a given quantity of energy, hence making it available for use distantly in time and space from the point of availability of the original source”. Therefore, a scenario that gives full scope for the ES to be immune from the characteristics of non-sustainable resource consumption and waste production, the system itself must shift the focus from resources to vectors (mainly electricity, hydrogen, heat).Smart grids have been largely indicate, in this context, as an answer for their characteristic “needful design” to move from the “old” grids (unidirectional power flows) to “new” bi-directional electricity networks. This is not enough: the real need is for an intelligent management of a complete set of energy sources and vectors, as electricity, heat, hydrogen, bio and non-biofuels, that requires a clear shift that goes beyond smart grids and looks at Intelligent Energy Networks.