With the increase in distributed generation, data-based customer interface and alternative energy sources, the utilities are coordinating with each other to produce an information-based digital economy
[33]. Today’s energy sector faces various challenges such as delayed outage response times, theft of information and cyber security, integration of large-scale distributed energy generation and energy storage, implementation of electric vehicle charging and smart grid business models. The digitized grid allows excellent control and intelligent monitoring capabilities. In addition to the above merits, smart grids can diminish the loss of power and data thefts by altering real-time electrical parameters such as phase, power, current and voltage. It can also identify the source of theft by tracking the location and pointing out the exact source of theft
[34][35].
2.1. Key Issues in Smart Grids and the Outcomes of Big Data Implementation
Traditional grid systems do not have the facility for data acquisition and monitoring. They also lack the potential to handle real-time processing of huge volumes of structured as well as unstructured datasets in the energy sector, which can confuse analysts.
These copious data can be handled through big data analytics easily, predictive analysis especially can aid in better and faster decision-making, which can be supportive to achieve strategic business objectives, as shown in
Figure 3 [36][37][38][39]. Dynamic and efficient energy management is possible in smart grids, with the help of big data analytics and better grid visualization, as shown in
Figure 4. This shows that the smart grid, coupled with big data, provides a lot of advantages in terms of power generation optimization in power plants, improvement of customer interaction, optimization of emergency response to outages in domestic coverage, optimization and planning of transmission and smart distribution from transmission and distribution sides, and efficient involvement of DERs as well as electric vehicles, from the commercial side
[40]. Efficient energy utilization with greater preference to renewable energy is enabled by close monitoring of data and information that can offer proficient schedules through a smart meter. Further, power quality devices with efficient ICT can achieve suitable power generation and reduce environmental hazards
[41][42][43].
Figure 5 also depicts the involvement of dynamic and modern data analytics coupled with optimum and high-performance computing with efficient data network management for the smooth functioning of smart grids
[44][45][46]. This model can also predict the challenges and opportunities present in the energy sector and utilities. It also produces knowledgeable cognizance, good situational awareness and predictive decisions. There occurs a dual-flow transfer of data and power in smart grids, i.e., between consumers and suppliers. This enables power optimization with regards to power sustainability, energy efficiency and reliability. Energy management is directly related to environmental preservation and economic growth. Better optimization and energy management by utilities and consumers contribute towards the achievement of SDGs
[47][48][49]. Therefore, both of the stakeholders (consumers and producers) actively participate in energy market trading, which results in dynamic energy management with load forecasting and renewable energy production.
Figure 3. Key issues in smart grids and outcomes of big data implementation.
Figure 4. Analytics strategy development model with big data and better grid visualization.
Figure 5. Big data in smart grid management systems.
The achievement of SDG 7 depends on the involvement of socioeconomic and technical aspects of the energy sector. Many perspectives are considered in a big data-enabled smart grid system to attain socioeconomic development. Regulatory and government policies, governing systems, implementation of new architecture and finance are the cardinal factors to be considered while implementing sustainability practices
[29][50]. Through big data analytics, efficient energy data management is feasible, which aids in the achievement of SDGs. However, the concerns with regard to electric vehicles, integration of energy storage with existing grid, intelligent metering, cyber security, application of analytical software, surveillance monitoring and digital mapping are under the control of government organizations in most countries.
Figure 5 showcases the outcomes achieved through successful big data analytics in terms of smart grid management with data from Energy Management Systems (EMS), Distributed Management System (DMS), Advance Metering Interface (AMI) and Geographical Information system (GIS). These systems offer better surveillance and data monitoring for analytics and decision making in the smart grid to attain sustainable goals
[51][52][53][54][55][56].
Smart grids have different applications installed, such as outage management, energy management system, fault protection, distributed asset monitoring, EV smart charging, integration of weather data, dynamic voltage control, centralized capacitor bank control, automated feed reconfiguration and distribution, as well as substation automation with advanced sensing. In addition to these, provisions such as load forecasting, demand response, shifting and advanced demand maintenance are also installed. The smart grid enables provisioning for the identification of electricity theft, prepaid customer plans, mobile workforce management and remote meter reading
[57]. The smart grid system is an automated and self-sustainable electricity network system that can control and monitor the smart meters and can analyse the data in the supply chain. This system can rapidly resolve the issues and reduce the manpower involved in a safe, reliable and sustainable manner. Furthermore, it also provides quality electricity to all of its consumers simultaneously.
This characteristic enables the smart grid to supply power received from widely distributed sources such as solar power systems, wind turbines and hybrid EVs
[37]. The smart grid monitors the substations and controls the non-critical and critical operational data, for instance, breaker, transformer status, power factor performance, power status, security, etc., as represented in
Figure 5. It also shows that Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), wireless, cellular, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) are some of the technologies utilized in smart grid communications to determine the electrical signals travelling in the electricity grid. The time synchronizer enables simultaneous synchronized real-time measurements of multiple remote measurement points on the grid, which results in the collection of a sufficient volume of data for futher analysis
[58].
Using big data analytics, the collected data is analysed and the results are helpful in forecasting safety-related issues in equipment connected with smart grids, as shown in
Figure 6. It showcases a clear process and the role of big data analytics in determining the load limits, power outage and asset management in the smart grid. The information is collected from various sources such as social media, grid operations and consumers and assessed with smart grid information for better load management. Energy demand is forecasted by the smart grid using big data analytics based on the information retrieved from load curves. This information is a collective of energy production and distribution patterns of renewable energy in the grid
[59].
Figure 6. Real-time application of big data and analytics in the smart grid.