The paper presents a literature review on smart grid concepts, considering generation, transmission and distribution of electricity besides smart consumption, including smart home, Demand-Side Response Programs, and Active Demand-Side Management. An analysis of the smart grid development in Brazil is performed, presenting the policy and regulation efforts beyond investments. This analysis takes account a pattern for smart grid development, and one may observe that Brazil is going towards a smart grid full implementation; however it could take decades and requires adjusts from govern, regulatory agency, utilities and consumers, and more investments. Moreover, some of the major smart grid projects in Brazil are presented, and their characteristics are compared considering the technologies used, location and electric utility goals. Depending on the electric utilities objectives, one may observe similarities and differences between concepts adopted and location of the Brazilian smart grid pilot projects. The first objective is the validation and replicability of the pilot project implemented; once, the project location is a sample of the utility׳s energy market or it is a particular area of interest, like an off-grid powered island with high environmental restrictions, for instance. The second objective is creating a model of sustainable smart grid with national visibility, once the project location is a touristic place. The conception of smart grid is aligned with sustainability, and it is a tendency in Brazil a massive entry of smart grid technologies in the next years.