Current breakthroughs and critical perceptions on the application of artificial intelligence in power systems: A systematic review

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven solutions are rapidly transforming power systems, from power generation and distribution to consumption. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest advancements, specifically focusing on how AI enhances key areas such as load forecasting, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, energy management, renewable energy integration, and cybersecurity. Our primary aim is to systematically review and critically evaluate recent AI-based techniques, their real-world implementations, and their performance compared to traditional methods. Through a detailed examination of unique case studies, we demonstrate how these AI techniques significantly improve accuracy and enhance system reliability. While impressive progress has been made, we identify critical gaps that persist in the literature, particularly regarding the challenges of data collection and the inherent complexity of advanced AI models. This review's novelty lies in its dual focus: highlighting current breakthroughs while also providing a critical perspective on these unresolved challenges. We synthesize the limitations identified in various studies and offer concrete recommendations to guide future research toward developing more efficient and resilient power systems.