Exploring the Power of AI and ML in Smart Grids: Advancements, Applications, and Challenges

  • 246

    Total Downloads

  • 4,579

    Total Views and Downloads

About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Submission Deadline 9 August 2024 | Manuscript Extension Submission Deadline 4 October 2024

Background

The landscape of global energy systems is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rapid advancements in technology. At the forefront of this evolution are the concepts of 'smart grids', 'smart homes', and 'resilient grids'. A suite of innovative elements including advanced sensor technologies, integration of renewable energy sources, proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the rise of smart appliances characterizes these modern energy systems.

These technological advancements are collectively reshaping how energy systems operate, making them more adaptive, efficient, and resilient. A critical aspect of these modernized grids is the extensive use of sensors and big data, coupled with intelligent control systems and distributed decision-making frameworks. This technological integration aims to create an energy infrastructure that can maintain its core functions despite various internal and external perturbations, ranging from natural disasters to cyber-attacks.

In tandem with these technological advancements, there is an escalating dependence on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning/Deep Learning (ML/DL) techniques among researchers, businesses, and policymakers for enhancing decision-making processes in energy systems. The evolving realm of AI, distinguished by breakthroughs in autonomous systems, advanced predictive analytics, and intricate ML/DL algorithms capable of deciphering complex patterns from sensor data, is poised to revolutionize the energy sector significantly. These AI and ML/DL services are not merely augmenting existing capabilities; they are also forging pathways for ground-breaking applications and solutions.

However, the journey of designing, developing, and implementing such AI and ML/DL-driven services in the energy sector is riddled with unique methodological and technological challenges. These challenges encompass a broad spectrum, including concerns over data privacy, the intricacies of system integration, ensuring reliability, and addressing ethical considerations.

The purpose of this Research Topic is to assemble a diverse range of innovative research and pragmatic solutions that employ AI and ML/DL techniques within energy systems. We are seeking contributions that vividly demonstrate the current and potential future roles of AI and ML/DL in enhancing energy systems. This Topic is envisioned to be an essential resource for comprehending the present status and future trajectories of AI and ML/DL in the context of smart grids.

We invite submissions from researchers, practitioners, and policymakers that explore the diverse applications, advancements, and challenges of AI and ML in smart grids. This Research Topic is an opportunity to contribute to a crucial discussion on the future of energy systems in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Topics of interest include:

• Innovations in AI and ML for smart grid optimization.

• AI-driven energy demand forecasting and management.

• ML applications in renewable energy integration.

• AI solutions for smart grid security and resilience.

• Case studies on AI/ML applications in enhancing grid stability and efficiency.

• Comparative studies on traditional vs AI/ML-based smart grid systems.

• Ethical and privacy concerns in AI/ML applications in smart grids - challenges in integrating AI/ML into smart grid systems, including data security and system interoperability.

• Prospects for future advancements in AI and ML within smart grid technologies.

Research Topic Research topic image

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Brief Research Report
  • Clinical Trial
  • Community Case Study
  • Conceptual Analysis
  • Data Report
  • Editorial
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Keywords: Electrical data, Data analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Smart Grid

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

  • Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

    Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

  • The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

    Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

  • As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

    A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

  • Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and they fall under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

      In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

  • Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

    As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

    Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

  • Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

    Check available article types here 

  • Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

    Suggest your topic here 

  • A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

    The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

  • As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

    You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

  • As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

  • If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

  • Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

  • Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

  • As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

    Find out more about our Research Topics

  • Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

    Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

  • In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.

Participating Journals

Manuscripts can be submitted to this Research Topic via the main journal or any other participating journal.

Impact

  • 4,579Topic views
  • 1,231Article views
  • 246Article downloads
View impact