To understand the concept of a Smart Grid, you must first have an understanding of how the current electric grid works. 

The following links help provide some of this basic information:

• Electric Grid overview
  • Wikipedia.org - Electric Grid

• Illustrated glossary of equipment used in generation, transmission, and distribution
  • OSHA.gov - Equipment Glossary

• A review of all the equipment that brings power from production to consumption
  • Howstuffworks.com - Power Equipment

• Image of the current Electric Grid
  • Wikipedia.org - Electricity Grid Schema