Smart Grids: A Comprehensive Review of Technologies, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

This paper reviews the revolutionary concept of smart grid, a digitally enabled electrical grid that utilises advanced communication, computation, sensing and control technology in order to improve the efficiency and reliability of electricity production and distribution. The purpose of this technical profile is to present a comprehensive overview of smart grid architectures, key technological enablers, challenges of their implementation, and future research topics geared towards global energy transitions. A systematic literature review approach was used to review academic, technical, and industry reports. The findings integrate insights from several disciplines including electrical engineering, computer science, energy policy, and behavioral economics. The analysis is classified into key technology areas, operations support, security, demand side management, and renewal interaction. Smart grids provide benefits including monitoring in real-time, increased energy efficiency, demand response, renewable integration and strengthening grid resiliency. Some key technologies are AMI, DERs, IoT devices, and AI-powered analytics. However, while the technology has matured, implementation has been constrained by issues involving interoperability, high capital cost, cyber-vulnerability, and regulatory resistance. Public accept­ance and customer participation are the other keys to success for smart grid. This review provides an extensive and interdisciplinary overview of smart grid technologies and their impacts. It focuses on research challenges, intelligent programming of smart controllers, AI-driven energy optimization, blockchain-based energy trading, quantum safe cybersecurity and the like. The article suggests practical implications for future innovation, policy making, and the implementation strategies of the inclusive smart grid.

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