IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i15p3963-d1709200.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Brain Behind the Grid: A Comprehensive Review on Advanced Control Strategies for Smart Energy Management Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Gowthamraj Rajendran

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta Msida Campus (Main Campus), MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Reiko Raute

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta Msida Campus (Main Campus), MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Cedric Caruana

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta Msida Campus (Main Campus), MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

Abstract

The integration of digital technologies is catalysing a fundamental transformation of modern energy systems, enhancing operational efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability. Despite significant progress, the existing literature often addresses digital innovations in isolation, with limited consideration of their synergistic potential within Advanced Energy Systems (AES). This paper presents a systematic review of key digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and digital twins—employed in AES, providing a critical assessment of their individual functionalities, interdependencies, and collective contributions to the energy sector. The analysis highlights the capacity of integrated digital solutions to augment system intelligence, strengthen operational resilience, and increase flexibility across various layers of the energy infrastructure. In addressing persistent challenges—including demand-side variability, supply intermittency, and regulatory complexity—the coordinated implementation of these technologies enables real-time optimization, predictive maintenance, and data-informed decision-making. The findings demonstrate that the synergistic deployment of digital technologies not only enhances system performance but also contributes to measurable improvements in reliability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The review concludes that establishing a cohesive and interoperable digital ecosystem is essential for the development of future-ready energy systems that are robust, efficient, and responsive to the evolving dynamics of the global energy landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Gowthamraj Rajendran & Reiko Raute & Cedric Caruana, 2025. "The Brain Behind the Grid: A Comprehensive Review on Advanced Control Strategies for Smart Energy Management Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-61, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:3963-:d:1709200
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3963/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/3963/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shufan Zhang & Minda Ma & Nan Zhou & Jinyue Yan & Wei Feng & Ran Yan & Kairui You & Jingjing Zhang & Jing Ke, 2024. "Estimation of Global Building Stocks by 2070: Unlocking Renovation Potential," Papers 2406.04074, arXiv.org.
    2. Zamani, Ali Ghahgharaee & Zakariazadeh, Alireza & Jadid, Shahram, 2016. "Day-ahead resource scheduling of a renewable energy based virtual power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 324-340.
    3. Zhiyong Wang & Wei Feng & Junlin Ye & Jinbiao Yang & Chun Liu & Dan Selisteanu, 2021. "A Study on Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Internet for Injection Molding Industry Based on Digital Twin," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2021, pages 1-16, January.
    4. Yang, Qing & Wang, Hao & Wang, Taotao & Zhang, Shengli & Wu, Xiaoxiao & Wang, Hui, 2021. "Blockchain-based decentralized energy management platform for residential distributed energy resources in a virtual power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    5. Shengmin Tan & Xu Wang & Chuanwen Jiang, 2019. "Privacy-Preserving Energy Scheduling for ESCOs Based on Energy Blockchain Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Igor Anatolyevich Maksimtsev & Konstantin Borisovich Kostin & Anastasia Arturovna Berezovskaya, 2022. "Modern Trends in Global Energy and Assessment of the Ever-Increasing Role of Digitalization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-30, November.
    7. Prince Waqas Khan & Yung-Cheol Byun, 2021. "Blockchain-Based Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading and Charging Payment System for Electric Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-16, July.
    8. Tetyana Vasylieva & Oleksii Lyulyov & Yuriy Bilan & Dalia Streimikiene, 2019. "Sustainable Economic Development and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Dynamic Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption, GDP, and Corruption," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-12, August.
    9. Cagnano, A. & De Tuglie, E. & Mancarella, P., 2020. "Microgrids: Overview and guidelines for practical implementations and operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    10. Adamu Sani Yahaya & Nadeem Javaid & Fahad A. Alzahrani & Amjad Rehman & Ibrar Ullah & Affaf Shahid & Muhammad Shafiq, 2020. "Blockchain Based Sustainable Local Energy Trading Considering Home Energy Management and Demurrage Mechanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-28, April.
    11. Fontenot, Hannah & Dong, Bing, 2019. "Modeling and control of building-integrated microgrids for optimal energy management – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    12. Reynolds, Jonathan & Ahmad, Muhammad Waseem & Rezgui, Yacine & Hippolyte, Jean-Laurent, 2019. "Operational supply and demand optimisation of a multi-vector district energy system using artificial neural networks and a genetic algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 699-713.
    13. Pedro Faria & Zita Vale, 2023. "Demand Response in Smart Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-3, January.
    14. Musadag El Zein & Girma Gebresenbet, 2024. "Digitalization in the Renewable Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, April.
    15. López González, Diana María & Garcia Rendon, John, 2022. "Opportunities and challenges of mainstreaming distributed energy resources towards the transition to more efficient and resilient energy markets," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    16. Tushar, Wayes & Yuen, Chau & Saha, Tapan K. & Morstyn, Thomas & Chapman, Archie C. & Alam, M. Jan E. & Hanif, Sarmad & Poor, H. Vincent, 2021. "Peer-to-peer energy systems for connected communities: A review of recent advances and emerging challenges," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    17. Xiong, Linyun & Li, Penghan & Wang, Ziqiang & Wang, Jie, 2020. "Multi-agent based multi objective renewable energy management for diversified community power consumers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    18. Kermani, Mostafa & Adelmanesh, Behin & Shirdare, Erfan & Sima, Catalina Alexandra & Carnì, Domenico Luca & Martirano, Luigi, 2021. "Intelligent energy management based on SCADA system in a real Microgrid for smart building applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1115-1127.
    19. Bischi, Aldo & Basile, Mariano & Poli, Davide & Vallati, Carlo & Miliani, Francesco & Caposciutti, Gianluca & Marracci, Mirko & Dini, Gianluca & Desideri, Umberto, 2021. "Enabling low-voltage, peer-to-peer, quasi-real-time electricity markets through consortium blockchains," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    20. Braas, Hagen & Jordan, Ulrike & Best, Isabelle & Orozaliev, Janybek & Vajen, Klaus, 2020. "District heating load profiles for domestic hot water preparation with realistic simultaneity using DHWcalc and TRNSYS," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    21. Bastida, Leire & Cohen, Jed J. & Kollmann, Andrea & Moya, Ana & Reichl, Johannes, 2019. "Exploring the role of ICT on household behavioural energy efficiency to mitigate global warming," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 455-462.
    22. Prinsloo, Gerro & Dobson, Robert & Mammoli, Andrea, 2018. "Synthesis of an intelligent rural village microgrid control strategy based on smartgrid multi-agent modelling and transactive energy management principles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 263-278.
    23. Zia, Muhammad Fahad & Elbouchikhi, Elhoussin & Benbouzid, Mohamed, 2018. "Microgrids energy management systems: A critical review on methods, solutions, and prospects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 1033-1055.
    24. Cardoso, Gonçalo & Brouhard, Thomas & DeForest, Nicholas & Wang, Dai & Heleno, Miguel & Kotzur, Leander, 2018. "Battery aging in multi-energy microgrid design using mixed integer linear programming," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 1059-1069.
    25. Yu, Songyuan & Fang, Fang & Liu, Yajuan & Liu, Jizhen, 2019. "Uncertainties of virtual power plant: Problems and countermeasures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 454-470.
    26. Ahmad, Jameel & Imran, Muhammad & Khalid, Abdullah & Iqbal, Waseem & Ashraf, Syed Rehan & Adnan, Muhammad & Ali, Syed Farooq & Khokhar, Khawar Siddique, 2018. "Techno economic analysis of a wind-photovoltaic-biomass hybrid renewable energy system for rural electrification: A case study of Kallar Kahar," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 208-234.
    27. Chen, Wuxiang & Liu, Xingyu & Wei, Yi, 2023. "Promoting sustainability by resource efficiency and green energy: Policy recommendation for green growth," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    28. Muhammad Fakhrul Safitra & Muharman Lubis & Hanif Fakhrurroja, 2023. "Counterattacking Cyber Threats: A Framework for the Future of Cybersecurity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-32, September.
    29. Mohammad Esmaeil Honarmand & Vahid Hosseinnezhad & Barry Hayes & Pierluigi Siano, 2021. "Local Energy Trading in Future Distribution Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, May.
    30. Hyun Shin & Sang Heon Chae & Eel-Hwan Kim, 2020. "Design of Microgrid Protection Schemes Using PSCAD/EMTDC and ETAP Programs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, November.
    31. Yang Yu & Fangrong Ren & Yun Ju & Jingyi Zhang & Xiaoyan Liu, 2024. "Exploring the Role of Digital Transformation and Breakthrough Innovation in Enhanced Performance of Energy Enterprises: Fresh Evidence for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-22, January.
    32. Roslan, M.F. & Hannan, M.A. & Ker, Pin Jern & Uddin, M.N., 2019. "Microgrid control methods toward achieving sustainable energy management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 583-607.
    33. Hassan Haes Alhelou & Mohamad Esmail Hamedani-Golshan & Takawira Cuthbert Njenda & Pierluigi Siano, 2019. "A Survey on Power System Blackout and Cascading Events: Research Motivations and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-28, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abdellatif Elmouatamid & Radouane Ouladsine & Mohamed Bakhouya & Najib El Kamoun & Mohammed Khaidar & Khalid Zine-Dine, 2020. "Review of Control and Energy Management Approaches in Micro-Grid Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-30, December.
    2. Antoine Boche & Clément Foucher & Luiz Fernando Lavado Villa, 2022. "Understanding Microgrid Sustainability: A Systemic and Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-29, April.
    3. Polleux, Louis & Guerassimoff, Gilles & Marmorat, Jean-Paul & Sandoval-Moreno, John & Schuhler, Thierry, 2022. "An overview of the challenges of solar power integration in isolated industrial microgrids with reliability constraints," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Younes Zahraoui & Ibrahim Alhamrouni & Saad Mekhilef & M. Reyasudin Basir Khan & Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian & Alex Stojcevski & Ben Horan, 2021. "Energy Management System in Microgrids: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-33, September.
    5. Kaiss, Mateus & Wan, Yihao & Gebbran, Daniel & Vila, Clodomiro Unsihuay & Dragičević, Tomislav, 2025. "Review on Virtual Power Plants/Virtual Aggregators: Concepts, applications, prospects and operation strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    6. Romain Mannini & Julien Eynard & Stéphane Grieu, 2022. "A Survey of Recent Advances in the Smart Management of Microgrids and Networked Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-37, September.
    7. Jiang, Yuzheng & Dong, Jun & Huang, Hexiang, 2024. "Optimal bidding strategy for the price-maker virtual power plant in the day-ahead market based on multi-agent twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    8. Maen Z. Kreishan & Ahmed F. Zobaa, 2021. "Optimal Allocation and Operation of Droop-Controlled Islanded Microgrids: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-45, July.
    9. Mohammed Amine Hoummadi & Manale Bouderbala & Hala Alami Aroussi & Badre Bossoufi & Najib El Ouanjli & Mohammed Karim, 2023. "Survey of Sustainable Energy Sources for Microgrid Energy Management: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, March.
    10. Kawakib Arar Tahir & Javier Ordóñez & Juanjo Nieto, 2024. "Exploring Evolution and Trends: A Bibliometric Analysis and Scientific Mapping of Multiobjective Optimization Applied to Hybrid Microgrid Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-29, June.
    11. Sandelic, Monika & Peyghami, Saeed & Sangwongwanich, Ariya & Blaabjerg, Frede, 2022. "Reliability aspects in microgrid design and planning: Status and power electronics-induced challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    12. Sadaqat Ali & Zhixue Zheng & Michel Aillerie & Jean-Paul Sawicki & Marie-Cécile Péra & Daniel Hissel, 2021. "A Review of DC Microgrid Energy Management Systems Dedicated to Residential Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-26, July.
    13. Roth, Tamara & Utz, Manuel & Baumgarte, Felix & Rieger, Alexander & Sedlmeir, Johannes & Strüker, Jens, 2022. "Electricity powered by blockchain: A review with a European perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    14. Mohammad Mohammadi Roozbehani & Ehsan Heydarian-Forushani & Saeed Hasanzadeh & Seifeddine Ben Elghali, 2022. "Virtual Power Plant Operational Strategies: Models, Markets, Optimization, Challenges, and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, September.
    15. Jihed Hmad & Azeddine Houari & Allal El Moubarek Bouzid & Abdelhakim Saim & Hafedh Trabelsi, 2023. "A Review on Mode Transition Strategies between Grid-Connected and Standalone Operation of Voltage Source Inverters-Based Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-41, June.
    16. Reza Nadimi & Masahito Takahashi & Koji Tokimatsu & Mika Goto, 2024. "The Reliability and Profitability of Virtual Power Plant with Short-Term Power Market Trading and Non-Spinning Reserve Diesel Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-19, April.
    17. Felix Garcia-Torres & Ascension Zafra-Cabeza & Carlos Silva & Stephane Grieu & Tejaswinee Darure & Ana Estanqueiro, 2021. "Model Predictive Control for Microgrid Functionalities: Review and Future Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-26, February.
    18. Sergio Cantillo-Luna & Ricardo Moreno-Chuquen & David Celeita & George J. Anders, 2024. "A Stochastic Decision-Making Tool Suite for Distributed Energy Resources Integration in Energy Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-28, May.
    19. Jinpeng Yang, 2023. "Transaction decision optimization of new electricity market based on virtual power plant participation and Stackelberg game," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, April.
    20. Ussama Assad & Muhammad Arshad Shehzad Hassan & Umar Farooq & Asif Kabir & Muhammad Zeeshan Khan & S. Sabahat H. Bukhari & Zain ul Abidin Jaffri & Judit Oláh & József Popp, 2022. "Smart Grid, Demand Response and Optimization: A Critical Review of Computational Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-36, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:3963-:d:1709200. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.