Widi Aribowo, Vugar Hacimahmud Abdullayev, Diego Oliva, Vita Mahardhika, Toufik Mzili
The modern Smart Grid fueled by extensive renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and complex bidirectional power flows has rendered conventional optimization techniques obsolete. This pivotal study delivers an essential, systematic review establishing metaheuristic algorithms as the indispensable technology for mastering this operational complexity. The research methodically dissects the application of metaheuristics across eight critical domains, including Unit Commitment (UC), Distributed Energy Resource (DER) management, Optimal Power Flow (OPF), and EV/V2G coordination. By synthesizing prior investigations, the paper demonstrates that these advanced techniques consistently yield near-optimal, computationally viable solutions. The real-world impact is transformative: substantial cost savings, minimized power losses, effective peak load reduction, and dramatically improved voltage stability. Crucially, the work champions hybrid methodologies as the strategic tool to reconcile exploration and exploitation in solving the mixed-variable, multi-objective challenges inherent to power systems. Ultimately, this document validates metaheuristic optimization as the core enabling factor for a reliable, efficient, and sustainable Smart Grid. It serves as a vital strategy guide for researchers and practitioners, charting the roadmap for future directions, including real-time implementation and integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI). © 2025 The Authors.
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Computer Engineering, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Baku, Azerbaijan; Depto. de Ingeniería Electro-Fotónica, Universidad de Guadalajara, CUCEI, Guadalajara, Mexico; Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of computer science, Université Chouaib Eddoukali, Morocco
