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Smart grid is an idea of upgradation of the traditional electric grid infrastructure. The efficiency of the existing electrical grid can be automated by integrating with innovative technical equipment such as: high-tech forecasting system, digital sensors, advanced two-way communication and two-way power flow systems. Smart grid establishes an interface between utility and consumer which helps to use energy, based on the preferences of price, eco-friendly and without technical system issues. It empowers the grid to be more secure, reliable and efficient. The peer-reviewed articles and published government reports have been reviewed, based on the analysis of technical characteristics of power generation systems, eco-friendly sources of power generations, cost reduction, functionality and design of traditional grid versus smart grid. Furthermore, the innovative technologies that enable the grid to integrate with decentralized power generation system efficiently have been considered. This paper claims that in this modern era, it is arduous for traditional grid to fulfill the rising demand of electricity, along with sustainable, eco-friendly and stable power supply, as it cannot be efficiently integrated with decentralized and localized power generation systems and renewable energy sources. The result of this paper shows that decentralized and localized power generation systems are located close to end-users which decrease the transmission and supply cost of electricity. Innovative technologies allow the decentralized and localized power generation systems to be integrated with renewable energy sources which help to reduce the cost of utility services and provide clean energy. Moreover, technological advancement played a decisive role in enabling the electrical system to be more efficient. Electrical reliability can be improved, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, renewable energy sources can efficiently be integrated, and rising demand for electricity can be met by embedding advanced applications and ...

This book examines terrorism's impact on the international aviation security regime.

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Regional Studies on 17 Dec 2014, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2014.980637 ; This issue marks the beginning of Regional Studies 49th volume. As we begin this new chapter in the journal's history our inheritance will ensure Regional Studies retains its distinctive purpose, but these are new times, indeed they are changing times (TUROK et al., 2014). The 48th volume of Regional Studies saw profound intellectual developments, important journal developments (a new, more geographically dispersed, editorial team; a new Executive Editor; a first Early Career Editor; an increased impact factor), and as the Journal of the Regional Studies Association notable extensions to the activities of the wider regional studies community (e.g. the launch of Regional Studies, Regional Science as an open access journal; the opening of a new China Division of the RSA; the publication of two joint RSA-Regional Studies Virtual Issuesi). 2014 also saw notable territorial developments (increased submissions from, readership by people in, and research focusing on, Asia, Latin America and other parts of the Global South), political and policy developments (e.g. the no vote in the Scottish independence referendum), and methodological developments (e.g. continued improvements in accessing 'big data') present (re)new(ed) opportunities and challenges for Regional Studies. As the saying goes, the times are clearly a changing for Regional Studies and it was with this in mind that last year, under the editorship of Gordon MacLeod, the journal relaunched what hitherto had been entitled the Critical Surveys section as Urban and Regional Horizons (MACLEOD, 2014). Twelve months on and with five papers published under the new title we begin by reflecting on what makes this section and these articles distinct, before introducing the papers in this issue.

This article describes the recent RSAA visit to Myanmar (Burma). The author, who served in the country as a diplomat in the 1960s, not only narrates the tour with many observations of architecture, history, and culture, but discusses the main changes of the last 50 years, and, with reference to the recent transformations in government, the state of infrastructure, education, tourism growth and the increasing regional presence of Myanmar, examines whether the country is now in a sustainable new phase of political and economic development. (Asian Aff/GIGA)