Analysis of anomalies in fraud detection for Smart and Non-smart Grids

The accessibility and reliability of electricity can significantly impact a region’s or nation’s financial market, with the cost of energy affecting customers’ financial situations as excessive bills can strain household budgets and limit available funds for other expenses. The rise in end-user rates can be attributed to various factors such as global market changes, governmental measures like carbon emission taxes or renewable energy subsidies, geopolitical concerns, and energy network losses. This analysis aims to identify areas with a high risk of energy fraud, including theft, which can manifest in various forms and prove difficult to detect using conventional inspection methods. The proposed methodology is based on real-life data gathered from field inspections conducted over both smart and non-smart grid networks and consumers. By mitigating the risks associated with energy fraud and theft, the stability of the energy sector can improve, potential financial losses can decrease, and economic growth can promote, while ensuring equitable access to reliable electricity reduces disparities and advances social justice.