The joint DTI/Ofgem/industry ‘distributed generation co-ordinating group’ (DGCG) commissioned a key study on this topic that was led by the Institution of Electrical Engineers to work with all parties in the sector to form a vision for future networks. This work reported last year—the “Technical Architecture” report is available at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/temp/ofgem/cache/cmsattach/11732_ TA.pdf
The group’s work continues under the re-formed Electricity Networks Strategy Group (ENSG).
Separately, Ofgem and British academics, supported by DTI and British companies, have been active participants in the European Union’s Technology platform that has developed a vision for Europe’s Electricity Networks of the Future. Their ‘SmartGrids’ report was published recently and is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/energy/pdf/smartgrids_en.pdf