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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Hongsheng DaiORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
© 2025 The Author(s)Peak demand forecasting involves predicting the maximum electricity demand within a specific period, which plays a key role in maintaining the efficiency and stability of power systems. The rapid evolution of power systems, driven by advanced metering infrastructure, local energy applications such as electric vehicles, and the increasing adoption of intermittent renewable energy, has introduced greater randomness and reduced predictability in peak demand. Given the pressing need to address more diverse implementation requirements across different contexts, accurate and reliable peak demand forecasting has become increasingly important. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of peak demand forecasting methods. It systematically reviews 186 studies published since the 1950s, categorizing these methods into three stages based on their developmental timeline. Building on this, the study defines a unified framework for peak demand forecasting and offers an in-depth analysis linking these methods to the practical needs of power systems. Notably, it highlights the growing importance of machine learning-driven forecasting models in addressing the increasing complexity of modern energy environments. Furthermore, this study identifies key research gaps and points out emerging trends that hold potential for advancing innovation in this field.
Author(s): Dai S, Meng F, Dai H, Wang Q, Chen X, Bai W, Shi P, Allmendinger R, Zhang Y, Liu J
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Year: 2026
Volume: 227
Print publication date: 01/02/2026
Online publication date: 26/11/2025
Acceptance date: 14/11/2025
ISSN (print): 1364-0321
ISSN (electronic): 1879-0690
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116500
DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.116500
Data Access Statement: The authors confirm that the data supporting this study are available within the article.
