Rational evaluation of the social benefits of the smart grid is of great significance for guiding rational investment and scientific development of the smart grid. Given this background

the well-established pressure-state-response (PSR) framework in resource economics is employed to analyze the generating mechanism of the social benefits associated with smart grid development and a novel evaluation model is developed. First

the emerging types of technology in the power generation sector

power grid sector as well as terminal consumer sector brought about by smart grid development are taken as the incentives

and the enhanced capability of accommodating renewable energy generation

improved efficiency of power system operation

optimized allocation of energy resources and so on as the evolving states. Then

the relationship between technological development and system state is investigated

based on which an evaluation system for measuring the social benefits associated with smart grid development proposed. Finally

the successful social benefit evaluation of a smart grid in a province in Northwest China is given as an example of the merits of the model.