The deployment of smart grids has become a global trend in the most diverse electrical systems. This strategy aims to increase the control and efficiency of electrical systems. However, this deployment requires major changes to systems, for example, the information of a telecommunications infrastructure and the provision of adequate equipment, human resources and financial resources. In Brazil, which is territorially large and contains a power distribution system with centralised generation, the deployment of smart grids tends to be time-consuming and could require decades to complete, as well as a large monetary investment. Therefore, the elaboration and implementation of well-defined criteria are necessary for the planning steps of this deployment to minimise the investment cost. This article aims to develop a methodology for selecting electrical systems that will be implemented in smart grids in Brazil by applying the Delphi method based on technical, financial and human resources and environmental applications. This methodology will be used to evaluate electrical systems in their current operating conditions. The results obtained in this research are the creation of a priority factor to determine the order of Smart grid deployment to achieve the best cost benefit in electrical systems evaluated. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.