Beyond smart grid—cyber–physical–social system in energy future [point of view]

Smart grids (SGs) are electric networks that use innovative and intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and self-healing technologies to deliver better connections and operations for generators and distributors, flexible choices for prosumers, and reliability and security of electricity supply. SGs are a complex cyber-physical system by their very nature, and this has impacted the way energy is generated, transported and used. In our 2016 paper [1], we examined the SG concept in the context of cyber-physical systems (CPSs), and outlined the challenges ahead alongside with fast development of advanced technologies such as Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data and complex networks.