Application status and prospects of digital twin technology in distribution grid

With the continuous expansion of the scale of the power grid and the growth of the demand for electricity, the digital and intelligent construction of distribution grids is urgently needed for the development of power systems. The technology system formed by digital twin technology based on high-precision data collection, real-time data transmission, digital modelling and analysis, big data simulation and decision-making, and intelligent and precise execution can effectively provide new ideas for the digital transformation of the distribution grid. This article describes the five-layer architecture of digital twin technology in the distribution grid field and analyses specific applications in condition assessment, real-time monitoring, and load forecasting. The characteristics of digital twin technology are summarized as digital operation and maintenance, visual observation, deductive simulation, and personalized interaction. The challenges regarding sensors, intelligent algorithms, and modelling standards faced by the application of digital twin technology to distribution grids are presented. The future development trend of digital twin technology in the field of distribution grids is forecasted. The important role of sensor technology, data fusion and sharing, cloud and embedded computing, reliability of algorithms, modelling standardization and effective cyber security measures are proposed in the digital twin technology of distribution grids. •The five-layer architecture of digital twin technology in the distribution grid field is described.•Digital twin technology may be widely used in condition assessment, real-time monitoring, and load forecasting.•The characteristics of digital twin technology are summarized.•The challenges of digital twin technology to distribution grids are presented.•The future development trend of digital twin technology in the field of distribution grids is forecasted.