It is essential for the electricity sector to analyze and determine the distribution capacity throughput and apply new methods aimed at increasing the capacity of the transmission system. Consequently, the transition to modern electricity networks is two-sided, i.e., involving technological and social modifications. The demand response (DR) redistributes consumption away from peak times when grid load and costs are the highest. It incentivizes customers to use electricity when supply is high and inexpensive due to various market mechanisms. The present DR policy proposals stress the importance of fostering behavioral change through competitive pricing and customer participation in reducing carbon emissions and implementing smart energy solutions (including monitoring tools, such as smart meters and applications). The internet of things (IoT) has been applied to ensure adaptive monitoring of energy consumption and cost-effective and adequate demand-side management (DSM). The article is based on the research of the most recent sources of DR implementation methods applied at the power distribution level. It explains the main concepts, classifications, and entities implementing DSM programs, and suggests new visions and prospects for DSM and DR. Moreover, it discusses the application of blockchain technology potential for the internet of energy.

The growing need for sustainable energy solutions has propelled the development of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs), which integrate diverse renewable sources like solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower and tidal. This review paper focuses on balancing economic, environmental, social and technical criteria to enhance system performance and resilience. Using comprehensive methodologies, the review examines state-of-the-art algorithms such as Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) and Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II), alongside Crow Search Algorithm (CSA), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Levy Flight-Salp Swarm Algorithm (LF-SSA), Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and tools like HOMER Pro 3.12–3.16 and MATLAB 9.1–9.13, which have been instrumental in optimizing HRESs. Key findings highlight the growing role of advanced, multi-energy storage technologies in stabilizing HRESs and addressing the intermittency of renewable sources. Moreover, the integration of metaheuristic algorithms with machine learning has enabled dynamic adaptability and predictive optimization, paving the way for real-time energy management. HRES configurations for cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and operational reliability while also emphasizing the transformative potential of emerging technologies such as quantum computing are underscored. This review provides critical insights into the evolving landscape of HRES optimization, offering actionable recommendations for future research and practical applications in achieving global energy sustainability goals.

The traditional unidirectional, passive distribution power grids are rapidly developing into bidirectional, interactive, multi-coordinated smart grids that cover distributed power generation along with advanced information communications and electronic power technologies. To better integrate the use of renewable energy resources into the grid, to improve the voltage stability of distribution grids, to improve the grid protection and to reduce harmonics, one needs to select and control devices with adjustable reactive power (capacitor batteries, transformers, and reactors) and provide certain solutions so that the photovoltaic (PV) converters maintain due to voltage. Conventional compensation methods are no longer appropriate, thus developing measures are necessary that would ensure local reactive and harmonic compensation in case an energy quality problem happens in the low voltage distribution grid. Compared to the centralized methods, artificial intelligence (heuristic) methods are able to distribute computing and communication tasks among control devices.

The rapid development of renewable energy sources and electricity storage technologies is further driving the change and evolution of traditional energy systems. The aim is to interconnect the different electricity systems between and within countries to ensure greater reliability and flexibility. However, challenges are faced in reaching it, such as the power grid complexity, the system control, voltage fluctuations due to the reverse power flow, equipment overloads, resonance, incorrect island setting, and the diversity of user needs. The electricity grid digitalization in the market also requires the installation of smart devices to enable real-time information exchange between the generator and the user. Inverter-based distributed generation (DG) may be used to control the grid voltage. Smart PV inverters have the capability to supply both inductive and capacitive reactive power to control the voltage at the point of interconnection with the grid, and only technical parameters of smart PV inverters limit this capability. Reactive power control is related to ensuring the quality of voltage in the electricity distribution network and compensating reactive power flows, which is a technical–economic aspect. The goal of this research is to present an analysis of controllers that supply reactive power to the electrical grid via PV systems. This research analyzes recent research on local, centralized, distributed, and decentralized voltage control models in distribution networks. The article compares various approaches and highlights their advantages and disadvantages. The voltage control strategies and methodologies mentioned in the article can serve as a theoretical foundation and provide practical benefits for PV system development in distribution networks. The results of the research show that the local voltage control approach, as well as linear and intelligent controllers, has great potential.

This research presents an advanced methodology for smart management of energy losses in electrical distribution networks by leveraging deep neural network architectures. The primary objective is to enhance the accuracy of short-term forecasting for nodal loads and corresponding energy losses, enabling more efficient and intelligent grid operation. Two predictive approaches were explored: the first involves separate forecasting of nodal loads followed by loss calculations, while the second directly estimates network-wide energy losses. For model implementation, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and the enhanced Residual Network (eResNet) architecture, developed at the Institute of Electrodynamics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, were utilized. The models were validated using retrospective data from a Ukrainian Distribution System Operator (DSO) covering the period from 2017 to 2019 with 30 min sampling intervals. An adapted CIGRE benchmark medium-voltage network was employed to simulate real-world conditions. Given the presence of anomalies and missing values in the operational data, a two-stage preprocessing algorithm incorporating DBSCAN clustering was applied for data cleansing and imputation. The results indicate a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of just 3.29% for nodal load forecasts, which significantly outperforms conventional methods. These findings affirm the feasibility of integrating such models into Smart Grid infrastructures to improve decision-making, minimize operational losses, and reduce the costs associated with energy loss compensation. This study provides a practical framework for data-driven energy loss management, emphasizing the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern power systems.

In the past few years, technical progress has determined traditional electric power system conversion to Smart Grids, and consequently empowered a worldwide renaissance in the forgotten PQ field. Since the installation of PQ monitors is currently associated with high investments and operational costs, it is inappropriate to install a monitor on each grid busbar. Hence, grid operators must establish the best cost–benefit scenario for monitors installation and achieve maximal observability with a limited number of analyzers. Firstly, this paper presents a review of the state-of-the-art of displacement strategies, and discusses them regarding the tendencies of node selection criteria, the test schemes used, and the grid size. Secondly, the relevant fundamental issues which must be solved in the future in order to eliminate restrictions in PQ monitors’ allocation planning are presented and discussed. These issues concern the treatment, interpretation, and assessment of PQ events, measurement chain technical features, PQ’s role in the grid planning stage, communication technologies, and other remote monitoring aspects, and integration with other Smart Grid applications. The provided insights are based on experience which has been obtained during the PQ measurement campaign in the Lithuanian DSO grid. Finally, a PQ system development strategy—both short-term and long-term perspectives—in the Lithuanian distribution grid is presented, including monitors allocation criteria.