This is the findings of NanoMarkets' Smart Grid Analysis group’s report on smart grid opportunities in Europe. NanoMarkets projects that high-voltage transmission, FACTS, transformers, distribution automation and management, energy storage and smart meters will generate value.

NanoMarkets' smart grid report predicts that there will be a surge in sales of utility class energy storage systems, FACTS systems and high-voltage transmission systems. For example, smart grid storage systems, a very small market at the present time, are expected to generate US$1.2bn in sales in Europe by 2015. High-voltage DC transmission system sales in the region are also expected to double by that year.

The EU also has ambitious plans for smart metering and wants 80% of all European homes to have smart meters installed by 2020 and so the European smart meter market is expected to reach US$1.3bn by 2015.