The goal of the study presented in this article is to investigate all current issues related to the proper deployment of load forecasting (LF) techniques in smart grids (SGs). The latter concept has recently emerged as a potential solution to the global energy problem as well as to the ever-increasing and diverse consumer demands. To this end, more flexible dispersed production units are involved, mainly based on renewable energy sources (RESs). Another key novelty of SGs is their ability to gather information directly from consumers and production units in real time, thus facilitating optimum network planning and recovery as well as minimization of outage probability. Hence, it is important to use appropriate advanced infrastructure, which, in combination with modern telecommunication networks, will enable the full exploitation of SGs. In this context, to make the electricity system more efficient, avoid voltage and frequency imbalance issues and implement optimal production and consumption planning, LF is a vital process and plays a key role in the management of future electricity systems. Therefore, recent state-of-the art approaches in LF methods are also presented and discussed. In the same context, current limitations and proposals for future work are identified as well.

The goal of the study presented in this article is to investigate interconnection issues of the Intelligent Electrical Networks (IENs) with the existing ones, as well as the deployment of the appropriate load forecasting demand techniques. The concept of IENs has recently emerged as a potential solution to the global energy problem, due to the more flexible dispersed production units that are involved. In the same context, additional issues, such as the reduction of production-transfer-distribution costs as well as power losses are analyzed as well, via the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs). To this end, it is necessary to use appropriate advanced infrastructure, where in combination with modern telecommunication networks will make possible the full exploitation of IENs. Moreover, to make the electricity system more efficient, to avoid voltage and frequency imbalance issues and to implement optimal production and consumption planning, the Electric Load Forecast (ELF) is a vital process and plays a key role in the planning as well as in the management of electricity systems. Therefore, recent state of the art approaches in ELF methods are discussed as well.