A Review of Smart Meter Data Analytics for Distribution Network Applications

As digital transformation progresses, smart meters with enhanced monitoring and communication capabilities gradually replace the old-generation metering infrastructure. Their large-scale deployment enables innovative and advanced data-driven services. In this paper, an overview of the state-of-the-art of distribution network-oriented applications using smart meter data is conducted. The most recent developments are summarized and discussed with a focus on six key areas, i.e., load forecasting, non-technical losses, asset management, power system planning, topology identification, and power system operational analysis. It is expected that the taxonomy and the associated applications, as evaluated and discussed in this work, will assist utilities, service providers, and distribution system operators to identify future technological trends regarding the utilization of smart meter data.