Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring: A Systematic Review of Methods, Scenario-Specific Challenges, and Pathways to Practical Deployment

Abstract

Non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM), as a key technology for decomposing power loads by analyzing aggregate electrical signals, holds significant importance for advancing refined energy management and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This paper systematically reviews the technical processes of event-based and state-based NILM methods. It focuses on analyzing key technical challenges in typical application scenarios, such as real-time feedback, energy efficiency optimization, and demand response. These challenges include balancing high real-time performance with accuracy, leveraging edge computing while ensuring privacy protection, and addressing issues like unknown load identification and user behavior modeling. Furthermore, this paper discusses cross-cutting challenges related to data quality, algorithm transferability, system integration, and cost. This review aims to provide a systematic, scenario-based analytical framework to facilitate the transition of NILM from theoretical research to practical application, offering insights for subsequent technological development and engineering implementation.