A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions

In the face of the rapid development of smart grid technologies, it is increasingly difficult for traditional power system management methods to support the increasingly complex operation of modern power grids. This study systematically reviews new challenges and research trends in the field of smar...

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Main Authors: Na Xu, Zhuo Tang, Chenyi Si, Jinshan Bian, Chaoxu Mu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1837
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author Na Xu
Zhuo Tang
Chenyi Si
Jinshan Bian
Chaoxu Mu
author_facet Na Xu
Zhuo Tang
Chenyi Si
Jinshan Bian
Chaoxu Mu
author_sort Na Xu
collection DOAJ
description In the face of the rapid development of smart grid technologies, it is increasingly difficult for traditional power system management methods to support the increasingly complex operation of modern power grids. This study systematically reviews new challenges and research trends in the field of smart grid optimization, focusing on key issues such as power flow optimization, load scheduling, and reactive power compensation. By analyzing the application of reinforcement learning in the smart grid, the impact of distributed new energy’s high penetration on the stability of the system is thoroughly discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of the existing control strategies are systematically reviewed. This study compares the applicability, advantages, and limitations of different reinforcement learning algorithms in practical scenarios, and reveals core challenges such as state space complexity, learning stability, and computational efficiency. On this basis, a multi-agent cooperation optimization direction based on the two-layer reinforcement learning framework is proposed to improve the dynamic coordination ability of the power grid. This study provides a theoretical reference for smart grid optimization through multi-dimensional analysis and research, advancing the application of deep reinforcement learning technology in this field.
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spelling doaj-art-4e42257078e44af9b83522f6d585f9fe2025-08-20T02:09:22ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01187183710.3390/en18071837A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future DirectionsNa Xu0Zhuo Tang1Chenyi Si2Jinshan Bian3Chaoxu Mu4School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University, Qingyuan Campus, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei 230093, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, ChinaIn the face of the rapid development of smart grid technologies, it is increasingly difficult for traditional power system management methods to support the increasingly complex operation of modern power grids. This study systematically reviews new challenges and research trends in the field of smart grid optimization, focusing on key issues such as power flow optimization, load scheduling, and reactive power compensation. By analyzing the application of reinforcement learning in the smart grid, the impact of distributed new energy’s high penetration on the stability of the system is thoroughly discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of the existing control strategies are systematically reviewed. This study compares the applicability, advantages, and limitations of different reinforcement learning algorithms in practical scenarios, and reveals core challenges such as state space complexity, learning stability, and computational efficiency. On this basis, a multi-agent cooperation optimization direction based on the two-layer reinforcement learning framework is proposed to improve the dynamic coordination ability of the power grid. This study provides a theoretical reference for smart grid optimization through multi-dimensional analysis and research, advancing the application of deep reinforcement learning technology in this field.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1837smart gridreinforcement learningoptimal power dispatchreactive power managementdistributed control
spellingShingle Na Xu
Zhuo Tang
Chenyi Si
Jinshan Bian
Chaoxu Mu
A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions
Energies
smart grid
reinforcement learning
optimal power dispatch
reactive power management
distributed control
title A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions
title_full A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions
title_fullStr A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions
title_full_unstemmed A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions
title_short A Review of Smart Grid Evolution and Reinforcement Learning: Applications, Challenges and Future Directions
title_sort review of smart grid evolution and reinforcement learning applications challenges and future directions
topic smart grid
reinforcement learning
optimal power dispatch
reactive power management
distributed control
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1837
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