Exploring advanced technologies to improve smart electric grids

Electricity grids are changing. Conventional electric grids operated on a one-way model, where utilities generated electricity and sent it to consumers. Now, the increased prevalence of renewable power sources, distributed generation and storage, advanced sensors, and other technologies has allowed for more dynamic “smart grids.” These modern grids offer two-way communication between providers and consumers, resulting in increased flexibility, greater resilience, and higher efficiency.

Aghdam et al. explored several digital tools that could boost the performance of smart grids, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, digital twins, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, advanced metering infrastructure, and edge and cloud computing.

“These tools collectively enable forecasting of renewable output, optimization of grid scheduling, detection of faults, improved market integration, and better customer engagement,” said author Farid Hamzeh Aghdam. “In doing so, they address key issues such as intermittency, flexibility, resilience, and cost efficiency in smart grid operations.”

With such a dizzying array of potential smart grid technologies and applications, the authors wanted to create a single resource to comprehensively analyze as many as possible. They reviewed over 200 studies, distilling the information into a list of the most promising approaches, their uses, and their limitations.

Looking forward, the team identified opportunities for future research around interoperability across different types of digital technologies, sourcing more data for machine learning models, and standardizing benchmarks for comparative analysis.

“We also highlighted emerging areas such as 6G communications, large language models, and distributed autonomous organizations, which may fundamentally reshape energy system governance and smart grid resilience,” said Aghdam.

Source: “Navigating the digital landscape: A review of digitalization in smart grids with renewable energy sources,” by Farid Hamzeh Aghdam, Aleksandr Zavodovski, Mehdi Rasti, and Eva Pongracz, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy (2025). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0263750 .