Load Modeling Approaches in Smart Grids: An Overview

The load modeling (LM) process is considered difficult due to the latest technologies developments and the newest classes of loads in the power system field; the electricity distribution network (EDN) is changing them from passive to active. The penetration of the small-scale renewable energy sources (SSRES) and the large utilization of power electronic devices supplementary to the participation of active end-users in EDN perform traditional techniques of load modeling uncertainty. It is assumed that more accurate modeling of the load will successfully solve the new challenges that inevitably arise in the operation and control of traditional EDN and modern Smart Grids (SGs). A global trend of the SGs researchers is to gain accurate load models. This paper outlined a survey of methods and strategies for load modeling from traditional to modern techniques for future SGs. This paper cover some of the usual methods found in the literature. Both advantages and limitations of each presented method are pointed out. More than that, the review is completed with the latest techniques in load modeling for key problems that must be solved in the SGs field, as demand response, prosumer behavior, transactive load sharing, energy storage systems (ESS), or electric vehicles (EVs) integration.