Beyond the grid: a decade of intelligence, interoperability, and innovation in smart energy networks

The rapid digitalization of power systems has transformed smart grids into complex cyber-physical energy networks driven by intelligence, interoperability, and innovation. This review synthesizes a decade of research spanning AI-based forecasting and optimization, IoT-enabled monitoring, blockchain architectures, digital twins, interoperability standards, cybersecurity frameworks, and emerging models in the energy market. A structured narrative synthesis supported by a PRISMA-inspired screening process ensures transparent literature selection. An integrated conceptual framework is proposed to explain how intelligent analytics, interoperable infrastructures, and innovative operational models interact within modern smart energy systems. The analysis highlights key advances while critically examining persistent barriers, including regulatory constraints, data limitations, scalability challenges, and the dominance of simulation-only studies. Interoperability maturity, cyber-physical security evolution, and the need for explainable and resilient AI are also discussed. By consolidating fragmented literature into a unified perspective, this review identifies research gaps and outlines future directions for sustainable, secure, and intelligent energy systems.