Abstract. This article discusses the role of the post-industrial structures and the values associated with the formation of the creative class in the developed world, аnd the formation of the innovative economy. The formation of the creative class has had a decisive influence on the spread of new technical systems aimed at the response "activity" on the part of consumers, and on the organization of joint activities in their operation. Smart grids is one of the examples of such technical systems. In our analysis, we focused on identifying the correlation between the characteristics of the smart grid and the content value imperatives of the creative class, which could act as an emerging stimulus and development of such systems. We believe that the use of such technical systems in Russia is possible only as a result of the changes in the values of modern society, which are associated with the formation of the creative class.

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Abstract. The article examines the problems of the transition of modern Russia towards the formation of an innovative economy, with a special emphasis on the investigation of the key challenges that Russian universities face while training engineers equipped for innovative activities. The paper considers the impact of cultural characteristics of the Russian society on the organization and content of an education process in a technical university, on "producing" engineers capable of developing innovation. In our analysis we use a comparative approach, as well as the outcomes of the etnometric studies based on the method by G. Hofstede. The study presents the comparative analysis of the organization and content of engineering training at two universities representing Russia and the United States. The results of the study show that further productive development of the Russian system of engineering education towards integration with Western systems is possible provided that the value orientation of the Russian state and society is significantly revised.

Abstract. The article addresses the issue of the causes of human resources gaps for the implementation of projects for the deployment of intelligent electricity grids. The "focus group" research technique used in Tomsk Polytechnic University enabled to identify numerous barriers encountered by present-day engineering students in Russia on the path of their professional development. The barriers explored impede greatly the creation and introduction of state-of-the-art technological systems, Smart Grid being one of them. The elimination of those barriers will accelerate the accomplishment of the Smart Grid project.

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