Smart grids and renewable energy systems: Perspectives and grid integration challenges

The concept of smart grid (SG) was made real to give the power grid the functions and features it needs to make a smooth transition towards renewable energy integration and sustainability. This was done by automating and digitizing the grid to give it the right amount of flexibility and reliability, while also giving it the ability to easily handle future changes. The need for SG exponentially increases as more variable renewable energy sources are integrated into the power system, with the power grid and the electricity market gradually being transformed from a centralized to a more distributed form. In this respect, the objective of this review paper is to highlight the pertinent challenges associated with…