The Research Agenda on Smart Grids: Foresights for Social Acceptance

Abstract

The “smart grid” (SG) refers to an advanced electricity grid system that possesses the capability to effectively co-ordinate the activities of all its connected users, encompassing both energy producers and consumers, with the primary objective of ensuring the provision of a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable electricity supply while also prioritizing security measures. Research on the adoption of SG technology holds significant academic value as it addresses the crucial issue of user resistance, which can impede or postpone the progress of SG initiatives. In this paper, bibliographic data obtained from Web of Science and Scopus documents on SGs are analyzed with two complementary methods of bibliometric and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that academic production in the field is in step with renewable energy use but tends to diminish. The authors, publications, and countries that shape the field have been identified. The in-depth thematic analysis uncovered that safety concerns, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles are the main areas of study, and economic benefits are found to be more effective than environmental concerns in SG technology’s social adoption. Studies and policies on SGs should consider the shift in consumer and producer roles. By comprehensively examining the literature on the social aspects of SGs, which is an oft-neglected area, this study aimed to provide researchers and policymakers with fresh perspectives on how to expedite the adoption of this innovative technology, thereby facilitating the transition towards a sustainable, environmentally conscious, and fair energy system.

1. Introduction

Smart grids (SGs) have emerged as a significant technological advancement in the field of energy distribution and management, that presents a unique opportunity for the transition of the current energy industry into a modernized network, that would involve intelligently, effectively, and co-operatively managing power generation, transmission, and distribution through a bi-directional automation system [1]. As the world increasingly digitizes, the need for a reliable and efficient energy infrastructure is growing, making it vital to use SGs as a sophisticated network that protects, monitors, and ensures the integrity of energy grids [2,3].

SGs are highly advanced energy grids that incorporate a wide variety of technologies like digital communication tools, improved control systems, and sensing technologies [4,5,6], which contribute to a more streamlined power cycle overall and have the potential to bring about a range of positive outcomes, such as enhancing operational performance, promoting energy efficiency, generating cost savings, supporting environmental sustainability, strengthening resilience and reliability, and ensuring energy security. These practical, financial, ecological, and technological benefits can significantly transform the energy sector, leading to the improved overall efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of power systems, resulting in cleaner, more sustainable, and more dependable power for industry and households [7,8].

SGs support demand response programs by smart meters offering precise and up-to-date information on energy consumption, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about their energy consumption in response to real-time pricing signals and encouraging them to consider shifting their energy consumption to off-peak hours, thus assisting them in achieving cost savings [9,10,11]. SGs also enhance energy justice and energy security by prioritizing a dependable and robust power supply, particularly in regions that are distant or have limited access to resources [12,13,14].

SGs provide increased operational efficiency by leveraging improved asset management, predictive maintenance, optimized energy distribution, and cost savings for utilities [15]. Utilizing dynamic pricing and energy management systems can help reduce the overall demand on the grid and improve energy usage efficiency [16]. Allowing not just for in-the-moment system data collection, but also for complex analysis and deliberation, SGs facilitate a more precise load forecasting and control that boost the grid’s performance and efficiency, which aim to create a resilient and adaptable energy infrastructure and meet the rising electrical demand while integrating renewable power sources [17,18,19].

The decentralized nature of SGs offers the opportunity to seamlessly incorporate distributed energy resources [20] that enhance the grid’s resilience by mitigating the risks associated with single points of failure, thereby improving its ability to withstand natural disasters or cyberattacks [21] and potentially reducing the expenses associated with repairs and maintenance [22]. SGs have self-healing capabilities, as they can identify problems in real time and reroute power to lessen or prevent disruptions [23]. This degree of complexity is a substantial advance over outdated power networks and has the potential to significantly increase grid stability and reliability [24]. With a more adaptable, responsive, and sturdy infrastructure, SGs greatly reduce the likelihood of outages and extensive blackouts caused by aged power networks, ensuring a more reliable supply of electricity [25,26,27,28].

Smart grids have the potential to make significant contributions to environmental sustainability by mitigating the inherent uncertainty of renewable energy sources (RESs) which can be unstable and require a more complex grid. SGs maximize the potential of RESs by enabling their seamless integration into the existing grid infrastructure and lessening the reliance on fossil fuels, thus helping to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions [10,29,30,31]. Smart grids enhance the efficient utilization of energy resources, thereby minimizing waste and encouraging energy conservation [32]. SGs also improve energy distribution efficiency and decrease transmission losses, which can contribute to mitigating the environmental consequences associated with power generation and consumption [33].

The large-scale adoption of SGs might have far-reaching effects on not just our energy infrastructure but also our lifestyles and relationships with the natural environment [34,35]. Smart cities, which include networked and ecologically optimized transportation and housing systems [36,37], may be built by these grids, which have the capacity to co-ordinate a wide variety of digital devices and infrastructures, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems [38,39]. SGs enable EVs to transfer excess power to the grid, thus supporting e-mobility [40]. The connectivity between energy users and producers is improved with this dynamic and decentralized power generation [41,42].

Furthermore, SGs enable consumers to take on a novel role in the energy supply chain as “prosumers” [43]. Prosumers are people who not only utilize renewable energy but also produce some of it themselves. In this case, the customer might choose to sell their surplus power to the utility company by feeding it back into the grid. Not only does this empower individuals by providing new avenues for economic success, but it also improves the reliability of the energy supply by increasing the diversity in its sources. This change in consumer responsibility provides a new level of variety and resilience to the energy landscape. It is possible that, consequently, energy costs would level out and the energy sector would become less monopolized and more open to public participation.

The advantages associated with SGs in energy systems are becoming more diverse as technology continues to advance and they become the subject of extensive scholarly investigation within academic communities. A significant volume of scholarly research is conducted, particularly on SGs’ technology, and the findings are subsequently transformed into reputable publications. However, insufficient progress has been made in the adoption of SG technology because of several barriers impeding the widespread adoption of SGs, including the significant upfront investment and ongoing maintenance expenses, the complexities associated with integrating new technologies with existing legacy systems, the potential security vulnerabilities stemming from cyber-attacks on the grid, and the resistance to change and limited awareness among customers and stakeholders, as well as the regulatory obstacles and absence of standardized practices across different regions [44]. Investment spending on electricity grids has witnessed an upward trend in countries such as America, China, Europe, and OECD nations, but the International Energy Agency (IEA) states that the current level of investment in electricity grids must undergo a substantial increase by the year 2030 to align with the Net Zero scenario. Moreover, emerging and developing economies should aim to triple their investment in electricity grids to effectively capitalize on these opportunities [45]. On the contrary, an analysis by the OECD and IEA revealed that as energy prices rose sharply as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine; overall government support for fossil fuels in 51 countries around the world nearly doubled to 697.2 USD billion in 2021 from 362.4 USD billion in 2020 [46]. Nevertheless, according to the IEA’s most recent World Energy Investment report, worldwide investments in clean energy are on track to increase to USD 1.7 trillion in 2023, with solar energy production expected to surpass that of oil for the first time.

The acceptance of technology holds significant importance due to the potential for public resistance to impede or delay the development of energy technology projects, which are crucial for transitioning the energy system from fossil fuels to zero-carbon alternatives [47]. Utilities, which prioritize the efficiency of interconnectivity, face increased challenges due to the significant costs associated with SGs and require more robust models to guide their decision-making processes, which necessitate comprehensive analyses in the relevant field [48]. Social acceptance can be promoted through supportive legislative and policy frameworks that handle technical standards, consumer protection, privacy, and security issues. SGs, like all linked devices and networks, may be hacked, which might lead to privacy concerns [49]. However, with the continuous introduction and broad usage of SGs, powerful, secure, and confidential security safeguards have become feasible. Building confidence and trust is possible with the help of clear rules and regulations that guarantee the proper deployment and management of SGs [50]. To successfully build SGs, it is necessary to ensure customer acceptance; therefore, it is also essential to provide proper insights into the underlying drivers of consumer acceptance of SGs and the logical steps for their engagement to promote the SG technology and make its implementation feasible [51]. The dissemination of knowledge regarding SG technology to stakeholders can be effectively achieved through rigorous and interdisciplinary academic research, which can address the issue from different aspects.

Numerous studies have examined the advantages of SGs [1] and explored the obstacles hindering their implementation. The findings of a systematic literature review indicate that moral values can be both drivers and barriers for SG acceptance and suggest that future research seeking to understand the role of moral values as social acceptance factors could benefit from an interdisciplinary approach [52]. Claiming that there are four significant barriers to the implementation of SGs (costs, privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory issues), Bigerna et al. argue that, although electricity consumers play a crucial role in the advancement of SG technologies and will ultimately have a key role in the future of the electricity market, they should be informed in a frank and persuasive manner [53]. By prioritizing barriers to aid policymakers in formulating long-term strategies for implementing SG technology, specifically in developing nations, Archana emphasizes the significance of consumer awareness and various factors affecting consumer participation in the successful delivery of SG technology [54].

The insufficient assessment of the amount of adoption of smart microgrid technology, which is essential for creating an energy system that satisfies modern society’s needs, may have contributed to the failure to appropriately handle the societal aspect of SG adoption. To fully capitalize on the accessible benefits of SGs, it is imperative for consumers to possess both motivation and awareness, enabling them to engage in real-time participation actively and voluntarily [55]. In his study that attempts to address the social construction of smart electricity grids, Wolsink asserts that the literature on SGs suffers from an overemphasis on “technology” and a tendency to continue the neglect of social determinants, even though the ongoing problems with the deployment of renewable energy have demonstrated that implementation is largely determined by issues of broad social acceptance [56]. By developing an original taxonomy for the socio-economic features in terms of private (direct) costs directly associated with the monetary costs paid by consumers, and social (indirect) costs comprising consumers’ perception, privacy, cybersecurity, and regulation, a literature review of 148 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles on SGs reveals that the majority of the literature focuses on private costs, whereas an emerging body of literature begins to address the social costs [57]. A considerable body of research has been dedicated to investigating the technical, economic, and environmental ramifications of these technologies. However, comparatively less emphasis has been placed on their social dimensions. For SG projects to be effectively implemented, it is imperative to conduct studies that incorporate the perspectives and involvement of the key stakeholders responsible for executing these visions [58].

While the technological and economic aspects of SGs have received the bulk of the attention, the social ramifications have often been overlooked in the discussion. This apparent imbalance can present significant obstacles to the seamless integration of SG technologies into society, according to a bibliometric analysis of SG literature from 2010 to 2023, which emphasizes the urgent need for interdisciplinary research in the field to raise awareness for SGs [59]. It is evident that conducting a comprehensive examination of the issue would be advantageous in the quest to elucidate the specifics of the determination made in the study regarding the absence of a social dimension in the existing body of literature on SGs and to offer insights for stakeholders. Expanding the mentioned study with data obtained from database scanning, interpreting it with a variety of analyses, and improving it with a thorough thematic analysis may help eradicate this gap in academic studies and illuminate future research. By guaranteeing that the disregarded concerns are the focus of the study, a comprehensive viewpoint, which will be offered by examining the issues affecting the public’s acceptance of SGs and the topics of academic publications, can speed up the transition to a smart microgrid. To reach sustainability goals, SGs, with their numerous economic, political, and environmental benefits, are a technology that must be supported.

Widespread public support for SGs is substantially connected with their successful implementation. Based on the study mentioned in [59], this research aims to further explore and identify areas within the academic agenda where there may be gaps in understanding the social factors influencing the adoption of SGs by comparatively analyzing academic research on SGs and research on the social dimension of SGs. The present study has been devised to be conducted in a pair of separate phases. The first phase aims to acquire extensive bibliometric data on SG technologies, encompassing a wide range of studies and publications. To achieve this, a search will be conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases using the term “smart grid*”. During the subsequent phase, the inclusion of search terms will be implemented to refine the outcomes to encompass solely studies on the social dimensions of SGs. Through the implementation of a thorough bibliometric and thematic analysis of the gathered data, the study aims to address the following research questions:

Research Question 1 (RQ.1): How is the distribution of academic studies according to publication types and years?

Research Question 2 (RQ.2): What are the main subject areas of scholarly inquiry within this academic discipline?

Research Question 3 (RQ.3): Which countries are the leading contributors to scholarly publications in the respective field of academic research?

Research Question 4 (RQ.4): Who are the most prolific writers and publishers in the field?

Research Question 5 (RQ.5): How has the research’s scope been shaped, and on what issues does it concentrate?

Research Question 6 (RQ.6): How have significant research themes, their interrelationships, and their temporal development evolved?

Research Question 7 (RQ.7): What are the prominent topics of publications?

Research Question 8 (RQ.8): What are the research environment’s shifting priorities, the emergent new ideas, and the issues that have lost their relevance?

Through addressing these research inquiries, an endeavor will be made to uncover the deficiencies in the scholarly agenda on the societal embrace of intelligent power grids and the associated challenges influencing them. Although it has been determined that the social benefits, acceptability, and awareness of the SG, as well as the obstacles and difficulties in its adoption, are not adequately addressed in SG studies, examining the quantity and quality of the literature reveals the studies that must be conducted to accelerate the social acceptance of SG. To ensure the successful implementation and adoption of SG technologies, identifying content that has not been sufficiently addressed by academics can provide a future research plan with a social focus.

The study’s findings yield various theoretical contributions to the current body of literature and present significant practical implications for professionals, policymakers, and developers. Offering a thorough examination of the existing body of literature on smart grids and their social dimensions, this study aims to furnish academics with valuable insights into the latest advancements in this domain of scientific inquiry. While providing a concise overview of the existing and emerging benefits of smart grids, it also investigates the various issues that impede social acceptability, despite the numerous advantages associated with this technology, through a comprehensive thematic analysis. The study presents potential research areas that have novel prospects for scholarly pursuits. In addition, the findings of this research may enable policymakers to question why the adoption level of SGs has not reached the expected level, despite being such a groundbreaking technology in terms of its technological, environmental, economic, and social impacts. The examination of variables that contribute to the enhancement of social acceptance and awareness in the energy sector reveals important insights for stakeholders and policymakers, and the findings can inform the development of novel strategies and policies.

2. Materials and Methods

The preparation of the research design for this study entails defining the research questions, specifying methods, choosing software, selecting databases, creating search criteria, refining the data to collect, conducting bibliometric and thematic analysis, and examining the results. The methodology and software utilized in this document are described in this section, and then the data source and data extraction procedures are explained.

2.1. Research Design

In this paper, the bibliometric method and thematic analysis are employed to analyze research on SGs and their social dimension. The bibliometric method, a quantitative analysis tool, provides a comprehensive overview of a specific field’s research, helping identify key academic literature, enhance research integrity, and reduce subjective bias. It also outlines potential research directions and identifies trending topics, enabling scholars to incorporate these findings into their work. Tools like descriptive statistics, performance analysis, and citation structure analysis assist in managing large volumes of literature data [60]. The thematic analysis also offers an in-depth understanding of SG-related literature. Techniques like co-word analysis help cluster studies and create a conceptual structure, facilitating the identification of emerging research areas and potential fields of study. By integrating complementary analysis methods, researchers can spot gaps in the literature, analyze mature and nascent research themes, and provide insights into possible future research directions [61].

This study seeks to present a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on SGs, considering its interdisciplinary nature and the wide range of research areas it encompasses, including economics, management, and environmental science. The primary objective is to identify and discuss critical themes and research trends in this field. To attain comprehensive outcomes, it is widely acknowledged that employing a mixed research design that integrates bibliometric analysis and thematic analysis is the most suitable approach. This mixed-methods approach enables a thorough and systematic analysis of the literature under investigation by specifically addressing the identified issues to offer valuable insights for the stakeholders of SGs.

2.2. Software

The utilization of two robust software tools, namely, VOSviewer (1.6.19) and Biblioshiny (2023.03.0), are employed to augment analysis and achieve more comprehensive outcomes. Biblioshiny is employed as a specialized software tool to facilitate a comprehensive analysis of the documents, offer valuable insights, and promote a holistic comprehension of the research landscape. To gain a deeper understanding of the co-occurrence analysis of documents, VOSviewer, a sophisticated and widely used program designed for this purpose, is consulted. With its intuitive visualization capabilities, VOSviewer enables the mapping-based presentation of the dynamic and static properties of research data from multiple perspectives. The utilization of distinct software tools for various stages of the analysis is intended to capitalize on the unique strengths and functionalities of each software. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive response to the research questions by acquiring more profound insights into the relationships and advancements within the scientific field under investigation.

2.3. Data Acquisition and Refinement

The Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were primarily used to gather data on the literature for bibliometric analysis. The WoS and Scopus databases, renowned for their comprehensive coverage and inclusion of peer-reviewed and reputable journals, have gained significant recognition among scholars for their exceptional quality and extensive reach.

A two-stage search was conducted on 25 June 2023, to assemble the data of the papers published from 1 January 2010 to the given date in the indexed journals to obtain literary data from these two databases. Given that the initial investigation into the social aspects of the SG was documented in 2010, the study’s timeframe was established as 2010 to ensure comparability in the outcomes of both inquiries.

To extract Data 1, which is denoted by the d1 code throughout the text, the search term “smart grid*” was used. The phrase “smart grid*” and other search phrases (“social benefit*”, “societal benefit*”, “social barrier*”, “social accept*”, “social challenge*”, “social adopt*”, “social aware*”, and “social dimension*”) were used to gather information from documents, which were then utilized to create Data 2 figures labeled as d2 that highlighted the social aspects of SGs. When combining keywords, the Boolean operator “AND” is utilized as a conjunction to weed out irrelevant studies and produce more focused and useful results. To reach academic studies on the social dimensions of smart grids, the search words were determined as a group together with the word “social”, not alone. In this way, it is aimed at preventing unrelated publications from being included in the search results. In the preliminary examination stage, it was stated that the publications related to the social dimension (social dimension*) of the smart grid mostly dealt with the issue of social acceptance (“social accept*” and “social adopt*”), and for this purpose, social benefit (social benefit* and societal benefit*) and social awareness (social aware*) were studied. Since the obstacles and difficulties that prevent social acceptance of SGs are frequently discussed, social barrier (social barrier*) and social challenge (social challenge) are included as search words.

Before starting bibliometric analysis, it is critical to cleanse, consolidate, and refine the literature data from diverse sources. This entails eliminating duplicate entries to maintain unique records and addressing documents missing vital information like authors, publication year, title, or keywords. These records either need to be combined or removed. Moreover, due to compatibility issues with analysis software like VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, literature data from different databases such as WoS and Scopus need to be harmonized. These databases have unique encoding rules, leading to variations in key element representations. Scopus uses “DOI” and “subject area”, while WoS uses “DI” and “research area”. Therefore, recoding and alignment steps are essential to properly merging the data files. Furthermore, since there may be overlapping records between the two databases, it becomes crucial to merge the literature data while retaining only a single copy of each common record. Additionally, manual curation is required to weed out irrelevant or loosely related documents from the combined literature dataset before proceeding with the analysis. The bibliometric and thematic analyses of this study involved a deliberate manual selection process to exclude studies that just mentioned the word “social” or briefly addressed the issue while focusing on technical dimensions. This was carried out to ensure that the scope of the examination remains focused and comprehensive. The results, particularly in thematic analysis, were substantiated by relevant studies pertaining to subjects such as the societal acceptance, adoption, and implementation of SGs.

Figure 1 illustrates a graphical depiction of the workflow for data processing, showcasing the sequential progression of steps encompassed within this procedure. During the initial phase, the selection of search terms was conducted through iterative experimentation, aiming to identify the optimal combination that would yield the most pertinent outcomes aligned with the research objectives. To acquire two distinct datasets containing words and word groups identified in the second phase, scans were conducted on the WoS and Scopus databases, specifying the desired date range. During the third phase, the scans conducted in both databases were merged, resulting in the formation of two datasets: Data 1 (d1) and Data 2 (d2). To ensure the uniqueness of each document within the merged dataset, duplicate publications are removed, resulting in the attainment of the final dataset. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of SGs, retrieving a total of 37,132 documents from the Web of Science (WoS) database and 16,150 documents from the Scopus database. A total of 146 documents from Web of Science (WoS) and 116 documents from Scopus were accessed to analyze the social dimension of SGs. The data were consolidated and deduplicated through the identification of studies that were present in both databases. Consequently, it is feasible to conduct a thorough analysis utilizing the data acquired for the 41,690 SGs (d1) and the social aspects associated with SGs (d2).

3. Results

3.1. Bibliometric Analysis

In this part of the study, answers will be sought to the questions of “distribution of academic studies according to publication types, years, topics and countries” and “the most prolific writers and publishers in the field”. For this purpose, after examining the general structure of documents within the framework of both survey results, the distribution of academic production by genre, its course according to years, and the most productive countries, authors, and publishers will be questioned.

3.1.1. Main Information of Data

In this paper, documents on SGs and documents focusing on the social dimensions of SGs have been compared and examined. In the first three subsections of the study, an investigation will be conducted to address the first research question (RQ.1: How is the distribution of academic studies according to publication types, years, topics, and countries?). Bibliometric data of academic studies published between 2010–2023 in the Web of Science and Scopus databases were compiled.

Table 1. Main information.

Main Information	Data 1 (d1)	Data 2 (d2)
Timespan	2010:2023	2010:2023
Sources (journals, books, etc.)	8337	134
Documents	41,690	181
Annual growth rate %	2.84	0
Document average age	5.9	5.99
Average citations per doc	16.47	21.08
References	733,818	5543
Keywords plus (ID)	33,610	844
Author’s keywords (DE)	59,551	649
Authors	48,845	556
Authors of single-authored docs	1813	17
Single-authored docs	2544	24
Co-authors per doc	3.79	3.61
International co-authorships %	19.76	19.89

shows the main findings of the research. For SGs (d1), 48,845 authors, 41,690 documents, and 21,803 articles were accessed from 8337 sources. On the other hand, only 181 documents related to the social dimension (d2) of SGs were accessed, 91 of which were articles.

3.1.2. Publication Types

The types of 41,690 publications obtained for Data 1 (d1) and 181 publications obtained for Data 2 (d2) are shown in

Table 2. Publication types.

Document Types	Data 1 (d1)	Data 2 (d2)
article	21,803	91
article; book chapter	448	4
article; data paper	14	0
article; early access	156	1
article; proceedings paper	282	2
article; retracted publication	2	0
book	36	2
book review	7	0
correction	18	0
correction; book chapter	1	0
editorial material	281	0
editorial material; book chapter	61	1
editorial material; early access	2	0
letter	16	0
meeting abstract	6	0
news item	25	0
proceedings paper	17,335	38
proceedings paper; retracted publication	8	0
retraction	2	0
review	1166	42
review; book chapter	6	0
review; early access	14	0
review; retracted publication	1	0

. Even though most studies are research articles and proceedings papers, only a small number of reviews examine the literature in the field.

3.1.3. Annual Publications

Figure 2 presents a visual depiction of the yearly and cumulative publication counts, illustrating a discernible and consistent growth in the number of published materials throughout the designated timeframe. From 2018 onwards, a noticeable decline in scholarly investigations on SGs (d1) has been observed after a period of growth. Similarly, it is observed that scholarly publications focusing on the social aspects of the SG (d2) attained their peak in 2018. However, there has been a decline in the number of publications since 2020.

Figure 3 presents the cumulative publication counts. The ratio of academic studies dealing with the social dimension (d2) to all documents (d1) was determined to be 0.43%.

3.1.4. Subject Areas

The top 20 research directions discovered from the documents were used to answer the second research question (RQ.2: What are the main subject areas of scholarly inquiry within this academic discipline?). The analysis conducted on the topics of the publications in both search results provides an overview of the primary subject areas of academic research in the field shown in Figure 4a,b. Smart grids are commonly implemented using microgrid technology and are primarily utilized for demand-side management purposes. Ranked third among the most widely debated subjects, the matter of security also presents itself as a formidable challenge to surmount. Upon examination of Figure 4b, it becomes evident that the primary focus of publications pertaining to the social dimensions of the SG revolves around the subject of social acceptance. In addition to the concepts of technology adoption and acceptance, this study also encompasses the areas of demand-side management and awareness issues.

3.1.5. Prolific Countries

To answer the third research question (RQ.3: Which countries are the leading contributors to scholarly publications in the respective field of academic research?), Figure 5a presents the 25 most prolific countries of d1. China is the most productive country with 15,168 publications, followed by the United States (10,586) and India (4609), ranking second and third, respectively.

Figure 5b presents the 25 most prolific countries of d2. With 71 publications, China is the most prolific country, followed by the United States (39), and the Netherlands (30) as the third.

The network of international co-operation is depicted in Figure 6a,b. The demonstration of the most proximate network of collaboration among the selected 53 regions and countries out of a total of 125 is achieved through the imposition of a restriction on the number of papers per country, limiting it to five. The entities are categorized into eight distinct groups based on eight distinct hues. The entities depicted in Figure 6 are representative of nations or regions, with their respective sizes denoting the volume of publications associated with them. The indication of collaboration between the two countries is represented by the presence of a link line connecting the two nodes. The strength of the linkage increases in direct proportion to the level of collaboration between the entities involved.

3.1.6. Prolific Publishers and Authors

The fourth research question (RQ.4: Who are the most prolific writers and publishers in the field?) will be answered with analyses in this subsection.

Table 3. Most prolific publishers.

Publishers	Data 1 Record Count	Data 2 Record Count
IEEE	23,406	23
Elsevier	5966	58
MDPI	2699	10
Springer Nature	2638	9
Wiley	813	4
Inst. Engineering Technology-IETT	468	2
Taylor & Francis	467	2
Assoc. Computing Machinery	434	3
Trans Tech Publications Ltd.	274	1
Atlantis Press	258	4

and

Table 4. Most prolific authors.

SGs—General		SGs—Social
Authors	Record Count	Authors	Record Count
Javaid N	309	Wolsink M	4
Zhang Y	230	Chalvatzis KJ	2
Vale Z	201	Chawla Y	2
Wang Y	183	Gerards MET	2
Liu Y	141	Hurink JL	2
Li Y	140	Kowalska-Pyzalska A	2
Catalao JPS	128	Li X	2
Siano P	117	Papapostolou C	2
Liserre M	114	Reijnders VMJJ	2
Li X	110	Sovacool BK	2
Chen Y	108	Stephanides P	2
Li J	103	Zafirakis D	2
Kumar N	97	Adil AM	1
Mouftah HT	97	Ahmad A	1
Zhang J	94	Ahmad F	1

present an analysis of the journals and authors that exhibit the highest level of productivity regarding the overall and social aspects of SGs. Considering the given context, it is evident that IEEE holds a prominent position in the field of SG research. However, it is observed that publications affiliated with the Elsevier group demonstrate greater efficacy in analyzing the social aspect of the subject. MDPI, Springer Nature, and Wiley are other prominent publishers. Upon closer examination of the prominent authors in both disciplines, it becomes evident that the researchers in these fields exhibit significant divergence.

3.2. Thematic Analysis

The remaining research questions of the study were addressed through the utilization of various analytical techniques, namely, “theme density analysis”, “thematic map analysis”, “word cloud analysis”, and “thematic evolution analysis”, throughout this section. These techniques facilitated a comprehensive examination of the data, enabling a thorough exploration of the research questions. The identification of research hotspots based on the thematic density of keywords is determined using VOSviewer, a tool that employs the visualization of similarities (VOS) approach to detect distinct clusters and visually map each keyword.

3.2.1. Theme Density Analysis

Analyzing the specific domains of research concentration can prove valuable in the identification of novel areas for study, answering the fifth research question (RQ.5: How has the research’s scope been shaped, and on what issues does it concentrate?). Figure 7a,b depict the theme density of documents d1 and d2, respectively, through the application of keyword analysis. Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the literature on SGs has expanded to encompass a diverse range of subjects. The subject of smart power grids encloses a broad range of research areas, including technological advancements and infrastructure, and energy market dynamics and management, as well as automation and digitalization. Within the realm of SGs’ social dimension, the primary emphasis lies in garnering social acceptance. However, it is widely acknowledged that the initial step for consumers to embrace this technology is through demand response.

3.2.2. Thematic Map Analysis

Thematic maps, which serve as a valuable visualization tool for evaluating the development and organization of scientific disciplines, were used to answer the sixth research question (RQ.6: How have significant research themes, their interrelationships, and their temporal progression evolved?). By utilizing thematic maps, which offer crucial insights for various stakeholders, including academics, researchers, funding agencies, and policymakers, a comprehensive understanding of research trends could be gained to influence research priorities, address knowledge deficiencies, avoid redundant research efforts, make informed funding choices, and shape policy decisions.

The themes encompassed in the analysis consist of basic themes, which are firmly established and fundamental concepts; motor themes, which are current and influential themes propelling the field forward; niche themes, which are specialized topics within subfields or emerging areas; and emerging and declining themes, which refer to newly emerging areas of interest or areas that are diminishing in significance. Emerging or declining themes in thematic analysis help illustrate the changing landscape of the field and provide important context for understanding its current state and future direction.

Examining the first thematic map created from the abstract sections of 41,690 documents published on SGs, shown in Figure 8a, reveals that the field’s driving topics are divided into two groups. It is clear that both clusters serve as the primary issues for all the topics on which research on SGs is mainly focused. Additionally, two clusters are identified to group the emerging or declining issues. While one group of studies focuses on cutting-edge technologies and security challenges such as the Internet of Things, blockchain, security, and computing approaches, the other group of studies focuses on smart cities, artificial intelligence, reliability, and resilience.

Upon examination of the thematic map derived from the abstract sections of 181 documents that specifically address the social dimension of SGs, as depicted in Figure 8b, it becomes evident that a limited number of documents concentrate on a wide range of topics, distributed across different sections of the analysis. The first cluster in the study consisted of the social benefits of SGs and consumer awareness. The second cluster, referred to as the “motor themes”, encompassed renewable energy systems and social acceptance. The third cluster encompasses matters about demand-side participation and energy distribution, while the fourth cluster focuses on the economic advantages associated with power supply.

The clustering of basic themes includes social benefits, government subsidies, and future smart. The integration of architectural models pertaining to communication technology, artificial intelligence systems, and energy systems, alongside the examination of consumer behavior, is observed.

Within the realm of emerging and declining trends, one notable area of focus pertains to EVs. Additionally, the adoption of intelligent systems as a viable energy solution represents another area of interest.

3.2.3. Word Cloud Analysis

The word cloud technique is a visual representation and analytical tool employed to identify and highlight significant themes within a textual analysis, thereby discerning the central subject matter of written content. Analyzed using the author’s keywords, Figure 8a,b provide a visual answer to the seventh research question (RQ.7: What are the prominent topics of publications?). These maps provide an overarching perspective on the conceptual framework supporting the canon of writings on SGs and the social features of these entities. In particular, the most frequently used phrases in writings on SGs and their social features are shown in Figure 9a,b. Figure 9a shows how the conversation around SGs revolves around a few key concepts. The word cloud of the documents on SGs includes terms like “Internet of Things”, “smart meters”, “security”, “management”, etc. These phrases sum up major subfields within this overarching discipline and highlight the current directions in SG study. Power transmission, distribution networks, and power quality are all vital to the technical side of SGs and the literature shows a strong engagement with these topics. Frequent use of these and similar phrases highlights the importance of grid systems, applications, and technology in the continuous investigation of SGs’ potential. While the word cloud illustrates the importance of technical terms in SG research, it also draws attention to an interesting facet: the social significance of SGs.

Figure 9b provides a comprehensive depiction of studies that have examined the SGs’ social aspects. Throughout this work, concepts like “social acceptance” and “technology adoption” stand out as indicators of the emphasis placed on the cultural context of the SGs’ introduction.

3.2.4. Thematic Evolution Analysis

The thematic evolution analysis visually depicts the development, interaction, and transformation of research themes over time by examining the progression of themes from their inception to their present state and answering the eighth research question (RQ.8: What are the research environment’s shifting priorities, the emergent new ideas, and the issues that have lost their relevance?). The thematic evolution contributes significantly to researchers’ work by providing a comprehensive, temporal overview of a research field. It helps them identify influential works, trace the historical development of topics, recognize prevailing trends, and predict future research directions. This temporal perspective can also reveal patterns and cycles in research interests, uncover transitions between topics, and highlight the interrelationships among themes. By understanding thematic evolution, researchers can position their work within the larger context of their field, avoiding duplicative efforts and identifying gaps or novel areas that warrant further investigation. Moreover, it can help in the strategic planning of research projects, grant proposals, and collaborations, enhancing the potential for innovation and impact.

The thematic evolution analysis utilizing the author’s designated keywords demonstrates the progression and development of themes and issues within the SG literature during two distinct periods (2010–2016 and 2017–2023) in Figure 10a,b. In the initial section, a total of ten distinct themes are evident in the keywords. In the subsequent section, it is apparent that the publications are conducted with a primary emphasis on topics such as SGs, smart meters, and renewable energy.

The current research in the field of SGs primarily concentrates on fundamental aspects. However, there has been a shift in focus from environmental concerns to EVs, leading to an expansion of literature that solely addresses the social dimension of this matter.

4. Discussion

Digital technologies and innovative solutions are of paramount importance in facilitating the advancement of sustainable development. It is crucial to acquire a thorough comprehension of the utilization of these technologies by both individuals and organizations to attain improved sustainability results [62]. Despite the numerous advantages associated with smart microgrids, the transition to this promising technology has been hindered by a diverse range of factors, leading to relatively slow progress in its adoption by society. The inclusion of the subject matter on the academic agenda and its thorough examination are important [63]. While researchers persist in their efforts to enhance the efficacy of SG technology [64], there has been a proliferation of scholarly research that centers on the technological aspects of the topic. However, the resolution of challenges related to the implementation of SG technology extends beyond technological considerations.

The comparative analysis of SG literature and documents that concentrate solely on the social dimension of SGs conducted in this paper reveals that the social aspects of the subject have been scarcely explored. It was discovered that the resulting set of publications constituted a minute fraction, accounting for less than 0.5 percent of the overall literature. It is evident that there is a paucity of academic research on the social dimensions of technology [65]. Nevertheless, this constraint could potentially impede the widespread implementation of SGs, a highly valuable technological advancement.

Based on the findings of this research, it would be said that a comprehensive and satisfactory provision of information could not be achieved with a limited number of publications, specifically 91 articles, 2 books, and 38 papers. The use of terms such as “adopt”, “accept”, “benefit”, or “social” alone is avoided, as the wrong definition or coverage of the search words may result in the inclusion of irrelevant articles in the dataset. The observed paucity of publications identified in Data 2 can be attributed to this limitation. In addition, it has been determined as a risk that valuable studies are not included in the analysis findings, since the procedure of scanning the databases is carried out on word groups. To overcome this limitation, the findings of these studies identified in an in-depth thematic review of the literature are included in the Discussion section of the manuscript.

In this study, one of the most notable observations pertains to the declining trajectory observed in the number of publications focused on SGs. Upon analysis of the documents available on SGs in the WoS and Scopus databases, it becomes evident that there was a notable surge in publications between 2010 and 2018. However, after this period, a declining pattern in the number of publications is observed. Similarly, this observation holds for research endeavors focused on the societal aspects of SGs beyond the year 2020, according to this study’s findings. Furthermore, another study conducted within the Scopus database corroborated this finding, indicating a decline in SG broadcasts in the year 2020, following a consistent upward trajectory observed from 2008 to 2019 [66]. This phenomenon could be attributed to the area having attained a certain level of maturity at the onset of this declining trajectory. It is conceivable that the domain under consideration, encompassing a multitude of fundamental principles and technologies on intelligent power grids, which has been subject to rigorous examination for nearly three decades, has undergone thorough investigation and comprehensive documentation, thereby attaining a certain degree of maturity. The decline in the number of publications may be attributed to a reduction in the dissemination of innovative or novel discoveries. Furthermore, the proliferation of scholarly publications within the discipline may have necessitated the undertaking of reviews and meta-analyses, which serve to offer a comprehensive perspective on the subject matter by amalgamating existing research findings rather than introducing novel empirical investigations. The potential for a shift in research focus may arise as a result of the ever-evolving nature of the research landscape. Researchers in the energy sector may have redirected their focus towards emerging domains, including artificial intelligence applications in energy systems, machine learning, and cutting-edge cybersecurity approaches such as blockchain and quantum computing [67]. The result of this study confirms the observed transition. However, further investigation into the causes of this declining pattern in both the existing body of research on SGs and the studies that address the social aspects of this topic may yield significant insights.

When examining the production of publications on SGs across different countries, it has been observed that there is a correlation between this output and the installed power capacity of renewable energy sources. In 2022, China and the United States emerged as prominent nations in terms of installed renewable energy capacity. China emerged as the frontrunner in the realm of renewable energy installations, boasting an impressive capacity of approximately 1,161 gigawatts. Following closely behind, the United States secured the second position with 352 gigawatts installed renewable energy capacity. Brazil ranked third with a capacity of 175 gigawatts, and India ranked fourth with a capacity of 163 gigawatts [68]. China, the United States, and India have unquestionably imparted their expertise as global leaders in renewable energy to scholarly research, alongside their significant contributions to scientific advancements within this domain. To effectively pursue the attainment of the seventh of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG.7), nations should seek to draw insights from past experiences in navigating challenges related to energy transformation, particularly concerning securing social acceptance.

The examination of prolific publishers and authors enables the identification of journals that exhibit a high frequency of publication within a specific research domain. By selecting the appropriate journal, researchers may potentially enhance acceptance rates. Simultaneously, it also addresses the inquiry regarding the primary source for tracking the latest research trends. Similarly, the act of identifying notable scholars and research collectives within the discipline can offer opportunities for potential collaborative endeavors. When searching for the most prominent publishers in the field, it becomes evident that IEEE significantly surpasses others in terms of its contributions to SG research, and the Elsevier group has played a pioneering role in publishing works pertaining to the social dimension. The IEEE’s mission centers around addressing technical matters, as it defines itself as the pre-eminent technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the improvement of humanity. Furthermore, there existed literature about the social aspects within various publication groups, including interdisciplinary journals that specifically concentrated on the intersection of technology and society. In addition, it becomes clear with this analysis that the scholars in these fields demonstrate substantial differences when closely examining the eminent authors in both fields. The study’s findings also disclosed a result of the methodology employed by the researchers. As seen in the thematic density analysis, the fact that there have been numerous publications on SGs with very different foci demonstrates that bibliometric analysis, which is a reliable method for quantifying loaded bibliographic data, is frequently employed in studies examining social dimensions, as in this paper.

Following the initial examination of bibliometric data by quantity, year, country, publisher, and author, the thematic analysis offers a valuable opportunity to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the literature on SGs, particularly the segment that pertains to social issues. This approach yielded significant insights that can inform professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders regarding the future trajectory of SG technology.

It is evident that over the course of nearly three decades, a substantial body of literature on SG technology has been generated, reflecting a significant scholarly endeavor. While the prevailing focus of research in the realm of SGs pertains to various subjects including microgrids, smart meters, energy management, demand-side management, and energy storage, considerable attention is given to topics such as cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and blockchain. The remarkable dearth of findings in the thematic map of SG research may be indicative of the breadth of topics covered in the literature. The wide range of topics covered in the examined set of publications is also reflected in the abundance of words and phrases in the word clouds derived, which suggests the many parts of society that will be altered by the introduction of SG technology. Overall, the analysis of recurrent phrases demonstrates the inextricable link between the technical and social components of the study and comprehension of SG technologies. Both clusters appeared in the motor themes area of the thematic map, with renewable energy, demand-side participation, and EVs in one cluster, and privacy concerns such as cybersecurity, smart meters, and consumer data in the other cluster, as critical factors for the public adoption of smart microgrid technology. This observation suggests that neglecting the social aspects of the topic hinders progress.

The analysis of thematic evolution yields significant findings that elucidate the trajectory and prospective orientation of scholarly investigations. It is worth noting that there has been a reduction in the diversity of topics covered in the literature on SGs, with a focus on renewable energy and smart meters as tools for improving energy efficiency. This shift in focus is probably driven by the goal of achieving decarbonization, reducing the use of unsustainable fossil fuels, and minimizing the reliance on foreign sources through the implementation of strategies focused on regional production and distribution. Directing attention toward the factors that enable the implementation of a renewable-energy-oriented system can serve to surmount the obstacles that impede advancements in the transition to sustainable energy. These barriers include inadequate physical infrastructure, insufficient supportive policies and regulations, and disparities in skills and institutional capabilities [69]. The extent to which the SG infrastructure is readily accessible and available can influence its uptake [70]. The presence of disparities in and hindered acceptance among specific populations or regions may arise due to the unequal distribution or limited accessibility of SG technologies. The adoption of SGs by industrial consumers is also contingent upon the availability of the appropriate technological infrastructure and the willingness of consumers to change their behaviors [71]. The perception of technologies as being in an immature state and the lack of financial resources hindered their progress [72].

The analysis of thematic maps in this study reveals that the optimization of renewable energy resources via microgrids and demand response systems is a prominent focus within the field of SGs. The thematic density analysis also reveals that the concept of “demand response” holds significant prominence in both publications on SGs and publications specifically focused on the social dimension of SGs. The increasing demand for flexibility in electricity systems and the ongoing transition to the SG are creating new opportunities for the implementation of demand response strategies [73]. The demand response for research on both SGs and the social aspects of SGs emerges prominently in the word cloud analyses in this study. It can be inferred that the significance of publications centered on demand response will persist, despite attaining a certain level of maturity.

The effective implementation of intelligent power grids is hindered by challenges regarding privacy and equity apprehensions [74]. The electricity generation and pricing in SGs are dependent on the continuous collection of information from consumers, and accessing data on each consumer’s electricity consumption contradicts privacy [75]. The application of machine-learning and deep-learning methodologies to address cybersecurity challenges associated with the utilization of consumer data gathered through smart meters represents a current area of focus that propels progress. There has been a surge in research focused on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and the cybersecurity aspects of the SG, including encryption, intrusion detection, and prevention, as well as privacy and trust. AI, digital twins, and other digital technologies also possess the capacity to enhance energy production, storage, and consumption, thereby enabling the energy system to achieve greater efficiency, manageability, and adaptability [76]. In conjunction with the indispensable attributes of reliability and resilience that underpin a secure energy provision, the burgeoning domain of artificial intelligence and smart cities appears to be an area of growing scholarly inquiry. Focusing on developing artificial intelligence technology and security solutions is also among the prerequisites for social acceptance. With the mitigation of privacy concerns, the resolution of trust-related apprehensions among researchers and politicians can effectively expedite the adoption of SGs [77].

Studies investigating the social aspect of SGs have identified specific clusters of contemporary and influential themes that contribute to the progress and development of this field. The clusters encompass social benefits and consumer awareness; social acceptance and renewable energy; distribution network and demand response; and power grid and economic benefits. The results obtained from the thematic analysis have the potential to provide insights into the future trajectory of SG literature and its social implications. The thematic density analysis of this study reveals that the content of the document pertaining exclusively to the literature on the social dimension of SGs indicates that the primary focus within this domain revolves around social acceptance and technology adoption. The focal points of attention include awareness and consumer behavior, demand-side management, flexibility, and energy storage. Communication technology, architectural models, social benefits, government subsidies, intelligence systems, and consumer behavior were well-established and fundamental concepts in studies on the social dimension of SGs.

It is evident that, throughout history, numerous technologies have been linked to societal controversies, resulting in the public’s refusal to embrace their utilization. The social acceptance of SGs, denoting the extent to which individuals and communities embrace and endorse SG technologies, is influenced by a multitude of interconnected political, economic, and sociological elements, many of which were also reflected in this study’s analysis results, including the perceived benefits, social and cultural factors, public preferences, procedural fairness, climate change, risk perceptions, trust in government and utilities, privacy, data security and transparency, regulatory and policy frameworks, support for renewable energy, incentives, infrastructure and accessibility, price consciousness, communication and engagement, experience and demonstration, awareness and understanding, education, and consumer empowerment [78,79,80].

Numerous scholarly investigations have been undertaken to examine the determinants influencing the societal reception of diverse technologies, and most of them tend to concentrate on particular aspects. Risk, trust, perceived benefit, knowledge, individual differences, and attitude were found to be the primary areas of investigation in approximately 60% of the articles focused on the socio-psychological determinants of public acceptance [81]. The management of risk associated with SGs is of the utmost importance, and efforts should be made to minimize the discrepancy between expectations and satisfaction. The public’s perception of the risks of emerging technologies is influenced by a multitude of factors. A systematic and precise comprehension of these factors is needed to effectively promote the sustainable development of emerging technologies [82], but there is a lack of research that considers SGs as a cohesive and interconnected system [83].

The public’s inclination to embrace renewable energy technologies is significantly influenced by trust, perceived benefits, potential risks, and overall attitude [84]. Educational attainment, demographic factors such as age and cultural background, technological familiarity, financial incentives, socio-economic considerations, public preferences, governmental policies, and adherence to societal values are also influential. The moderating effects of gender and cultural dimensions, such as power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism–collectivism, and masculinity–femininity, on the relationship between relevant factors and risk perception have been observed. However, it has been found that the type of emerging technology, age, and cultural dimension of long-term and short-term orientation do not exhibit such moderating effects [82]. Moral principles, including privacy, justice, and trust, can serve as both catalysts and impediments to the adoption of SG systems [52]. Societal values, cultural norms, perceived behavioral control, personal norms, and individual attitudes toward change can influence acceptance [85,86]. These factors exhibit potential variation across diverse contexts, geographical regions, and stakeholder collectives, and pose numerous obstacles and challenges for consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers.

Perceived benefits influence the implementation of smart factories, suggesting that comparable factors may impact the adoption of SG technologies. Individuals are more likely to accept and support the implementation of SGs if they understand and believe that they can bring benefits such as enhanced reliability, cost savings, energy efficiency, environmental benefits, and the increased integration of renewable energy [87].

SGs have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the operational efficiency of the electricity grid. Consequently, individuals who exhibit heightened concern regarding the perils associated with climate change are inclined to display a greater propensity to embrace SG technologies [88,89]. By contrast, the thematic evolution of this study shows that economic considerations and the integration of EVs have superseded climate change and environmental concerns. Concerning the adoption of novel methodologies for the generation, distribution, and surveillance of electrical energy, a majority of consumers are primarily motivated by economic incentives. The media and key stakeholders focus on the economic frameworks of SG deployment rather than environmental ones [89]. Therefore, it is highly probable that the advancements of future SGs will be influenced by the economic actions of optimizing rational agents within the market [90]. Utilities are also found to be primarily driven by internal objectives, such as reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency, rather than external factors such as customer demand or the need to incorporate renewable energy sources. The potential negative consequences of SG implementation, such as higher electricity prices or perceived inequitable cost distribution, could have an adverse effect on its acceptance [91]. The acceptance of a proposal can be enhanced by ensuring that the costs are reasonable and balanced, while also considering the potential for long-term savings [88,89,90,91,92]. Additionally, monetary incentives, such as financial benefits, tax breaks, and other related advantages, have been recognized as the primary driving force behind the adoption of SG technologies. These incentives serve as motivators for individuals to willingly accept and fully embrace the implementation of SGs [93].

The prominence of the phrase “electric vehicle”, both in the field of emerging themes in the thematic analysis of this study and among the current topics in the thematic evolution analysis, shows the strong link between SGs and EVs. EVs, which are one of the focal points of SG research, are also gaining attention as an emerging topic in research that emphasizes the social aspect. The significant importance of EVs suggests that their efficacy will be enhanced in the realm of SG investigations. An examination of the overall documents on SGs suggests that the research area on the influence of EVs on social acceptance holds considerable promise. It is reasonable to assert that there exists a symbiotic relationship between both technologies, whereby the expansion of EV utilization and market development will correspondingly amplify the demand for SG infrastructure. In addition, the simultaneous implementation of policies promoting the adoption of EVs and SGs is recommended.

The potential consequences of a compromised SG or its components can have far-reaching impacts on lives. Resistance or skepticism may arise due to a lack of awareness or misconceptions regarding the advantages, operations, and potential hazards linked to SGs. The conservative criterion exhibited by end-users stems from their lack of complete confidence in the intelligent technology offered by SGs, thereby imposing limitations on their performance [94]. The level of individuals’ knowledge and comprehension regarding SGs can have a substantial influence on their willingness to accept this technology [95,96]. Enhancing public awareness regarding SGs and effectively communicating the associated advantages and drawbacks can prove advantageous in mitigating perceived risks and dispelling uncertainties [97]. For social acceptance, effective communication and stakeholder engagement strategies are indispensable. Clear and transparent communication about the purpose, benefits, and risks of SGs, as well as opportunities for public input and participation, can engender trust, comprehension, and acceptance. It is essential to inform the public about the advantages of smart infrastructure and how the technology will operate. This message should be straightforward, concise, and simple to comprehend. The primary objective of communication should be to enhance familiarity and effectively showcase the climate advantages associated with [98,99]. Positive experiences with pilot projects or real-world demonstrations also have the potential to significantly impact social acceptance by effectively highlighting the advantages, operational capabilities, and favorable results associated with SGs and fostering trust in the technology [100,101,102].

However, the acquisition of knowledge and familiarity with smart meters does not inherently result in the acceptance of their usage. Conversely, the acquisition of knowledge and the expansion of one’s experiences are linked to heightened apprehensions regarding the adverse consequences of these technologies [103]. The social acceptance of SGs may potentially experience a decline over time, despite the active involvement of consumers. This phenomenon not only poses a challenge to optimistic perspectives on SG technology but also challenges broader theoretical arguments within the existing literature on the social acceptance of energy technologies [104].

Customer approval is required to ensure customer acceptability for the ultimate deployment of SG products and services, which will involve customers taking a more “active” role in future energy systems [51]. Experts must shift their perspective and acknowledge users not solely as obstacles to SG innovation but rather as significant stakeholders and potential contributors to the innovation process [100,105]. Conducting social science studies focused on SGs to effectively encourage the active involvement of end customers would be beneficial [34]. The absence of product and service design that facilitates the involvement of end-users as co-providers within an SG is evident in the insufficient consideration given to supporting the end-users’ process of behavioral change, which is necessary for transitioning from a consumer to a co-provider role [106]. Smart grids provide consumers with the opportunity to actively engage in the management of their energy consumption, enabling them to make well-informed decisions and potentially achieve cost savings. It is advisable to formulate policies that will promote consumer engagement in the implementation of the SG [96]. To maintain enduring customer loyalty, utility companies should undergo a transition from being mere energy suppliers to assuming the role of energy service advisors [107].

Enhancing social acceptance can be achieved by comprehending the distinctive social context and community dynamics and customizing the implementation to align with local values [108]. Social discontent can potentially emerge because of unfulfilled expectations of societal values [74]. The challenges surrounding social acceptance can be attributed to conflicts in values, wherein the inability of a technological or regulatory framework to simultaneously satisfy various societal expectations becomes apparent. The establishment of regulatory and policy frameworks that are supportive and address various aspects such as technical standards, consumer protection, privacy, and security concerns can contribute to the promotion of social acceptance. Well-defined guidelines and regulations play a crucial role in fostering confidence and trust in the responsible implementation and functioning of SGs [50,54]. By implementing robust privacy policies, adopting secure data-handling practices, and promoting transparent information sharing, organizations can effectively address concerns regarding privacy and data security. These measures not only foster trust among consumers but also help alleviate any apprehensions related to privacy. Governments have exhibited an increasing recognition of the potential hazards linked to insufficient cybersecurity protocols within the SG. The individuals acknowledge the significance of implementing rigorous protection protocols that depend on strong encryption and authentication mechanisms. It is crucial to prioritize the protection of devices and the prompt implementation of security updates for all interconnected components within the SG. These measures are crucial for promoting consumer confidence and facilitating the extensive implementation of forthcoming grid systems [109]. In 2018, the European Union (EU) embraced new regulations on cybersecurity, which encompassed the implementation of standardization and certification protocols for various Internet-connected devices [110]. Notably, these regulations extended to the SG and imposed specific requirements on smart meters, particularly concerning the nature of the data they gather. Furthermore, as of January 2020, United States legislation mandates that all interconnected devices must possess “reasonable security features”. The public should have confidence in the responsible deployment of SG technologies by governmental bodies and utility companies. This entails ensuring transparency regarding the collection and utilization of data by SG technologies. The inclusion of security measures during the early phases of product development, commonly referred to as “security by design”, is also critical for guaranteeing the robustness of the grid, in addition to complying with relevant legal regulations. The proposed methodology entails the proactive identification and mitigation of potential risks, alongside the integration of mechanisms aimed at providing sustained support to devices throughout their complete lifecycle [111]. Hence, collaboration between policymakers and cybersecurity experts has the potential to address the potential privacy issues faced by nations and empower governments to implement more efficient and preventive measures in support of these advancements.

Comprehending and effectively addressing the challenges and barriers can play a pivotal role in promoting the societal acceptance of SGs and ensuring the prosperous implementation and adoption of SG technologies. Considering this analysis’ overall findings, it is evident that the subject should be studied with a multidisciplinary approach and a holistic perspective, from a different angle than the current studies, if SG technology is to fulfill its potential. Investigating the reasons for the continued use of fossil fuels despite their negative environmental impact could hasten the adoption of smart infrastructure technology, which is essential for the use of these renewable energy sources.

5. Conclusions

The SG refers to the anticipated next generation of energy networks, primarily electricity, that aim to efficiently utilize renewable energy sources, facilitate real-time and efficient demand response, and enable the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). This study undertook a comparative analysis between the existing literature on SGs and the specific section of the whole body of the SG literature that exclusively addresses the social dimension of this field. The findings of this study highlighted the limited extent to which the social aspects of the subject have been explored. The examination of the literature on SGs through the lens of temporal distribution, geographical origin, publishers, and thematic focus indicated a correlation between the academic output in this domain and the adoption of renewable energy practices by countries. Based on the analysis conducted, it has been ascertained that there exists a prevailing decline in the number of studies on SGs, accompanied by a discernible shift in focus toward the domains of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, EVs, the Internet of Things, and blockchain. Within the realm of social studies, there is a recognition that EVs are prominently emerging alongside factors such as social acceptance and demand response.

The thematic analysis of this study presents significant prospects for exploring the existing body of literature on SGs and for mitigating consumer resistance by addressing the various barriers and challenges that hinder social acceptance. The findings of the comprehensive thematic analysis revealed a notable shift in the emphasis placed on safety concerns and EVs within the identified focus areas. The growing interest in e-mobilization can contribute to expediting the adoption of SGs. Consequently, it is hypothesized that policymakers’ endorsement of the EV market may also yield a favorable impact on the adoption of SGs. Within the realm of social dynamics, it has been revealed that the acceptance of SG technology is more likely to be influenced by economic benefits than environmental considerations.

There is a dearth of comprehensive research on the social aspect of SGs. It is advisable to augment the number of scholarly investigations aimed at enhancing awareness regarding the amplified advantages of SG technology, while simultaneously mitigating apprehensions regarding potential risks. The significance of the public adoption of SGs has increased in light of prosumers’ active involvement in the energy sector. Considering this paradigm shift towards a greater adoption of SGs, it is imperative to formulate policies that effectively address the dual role of producers, aiming to optimize profit generation, while also considering the rational behavior of consumers. It is recommended to conduct research and develop policies about the social dimension of SGs while considering the changing roles of consumers and producers, as well as the adoption of policies aimed at enhancing consumer empowerment.