The electricity grid is undergoing significant changes and one can foresee its further evolution into a Smart grid in order to adapt to the increasing regulatory, market and technological demands. However, for the advances in ICT, power electronics and other technologies to have an effective impact on the modernization of the grid, they will have to be subject to a considerable effort in testing and trial in laboratory settings. This presentation gives a general overview of a current state of Smart Grid laboratories located in EU and US.