Smart Energy Grid Integration for LV/MV Power Distribution Systems in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030

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@article{1722171,
      author = {Zohaib Dildar Khan},
      title = {Smart Energy Grid Integration for LV/MV Power Distribution Systems in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {251-262},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722171.pdf},
      abstract = {Under the Vision 2030, the escalation of electricity demand, urbanisation, deployment of renewable energy and digital transformation has led to the integration of smart energy grid as a strategic necessity for Saudi Arabia. Low voltage and medium voltage distribution systems are no longer passive delivery networks. They are increasingly operating as active platforms, hosting distributed energy resources, smart metres, electric mobility interfaces, automated protection and flexible demand. This paper reviews the modernisation of Low and Medium Voltage (LV and MV) grids to enable secure, reliable, scalable and sustainable power distribution in Saudi Arabia. The literature review was performed using Scopus, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and official publications of the energy sector for the period 2020–2025. We identify four core integration domains: renewable hosting capacity, digital monitoring and automation, resilience-oriented distribution planning, and governance for interoperability and cybersecurity. The results suggest that successful integration requires coordinated investment in advanced metering infrastructure, distribution management systems, feeder-level sensing, smart inverters, protection coordination, energy storage, and data-driven asset management. This review presents a Saudi-oriented framework that links the objectives of Vision 2030 to practical LV/MV grid actions. It argues that smart grid modernisation should be done as a phased maturity process, not a single technology project. The paper concludes that the combined development of digital infrastructure, regulatory preparedness and operational discipline can speed up renewable energy integration, improve outage management, minimise technical losses and increase customer engagement for Saudi utilities and project stakeholders.},
      month = {August},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722171}
  }