PV-rich communities will pose significant technical and economic challenges to distribution networks - but also some opportunities. For this PV-rich future to thrive, more intelligent, flexible electricity networks - or Smart Grids - are likely to play an important role.

The primary aim of this IEEE PES Distinguished Lecture is to discuss how, based on both technical and economic considerations, there is a need for introducing new analysis and modelling frameworks that are capable to securely deal with low-inertia system operation and make future low-carbon power systems more resilient to high-impact, low-probability events.