Abstract:  This paper discusses some promising innovative data-driven applications in future active distribution networks (ADN), based on the current development of smart grid. Firstly, this paper analyzes the state-of-the-art and development trends of the ADN, and then introduces some important data analytics technologies that can be expected to be applied in future active distribution networks. Based on this, this paper discusses some innovative data-driven applications and also analyzes the associated challenges in the actual implementation. 

Key words:  active distribution network (ADN), smart grid, big data, demand side management, cyber security, data analytics, distributed generation