## 8 Conclusions  
This paper provides an overview of control, automation, and optimization of demand-side resources in active distribution systems. The literature survey is based on several developments in the distribution network, which is a linchpin of electric distribution power supply. The fundamental differences between passive and active distribution networks were investigated, and their differences are presented with and providing a unidirectional flow of power, which is beneficial to both the utility and the consumer in terms of financial benefits and provides more energy stability and grid resistance. The planning and design of the traditional grid were looked at, and the role of DNO, network security, and reliability with performance indicators such as LOP, LOLE, reserve margin, and EENS. The study also investigated the planning and design of ADN, which is influenced by energy markets and technology innovation. The innovation in the information technological space, growth of DG, and deregulation of the electric power supply industry fast-tracked the concept of active distribution systems. The volume of information exchange between different players in the active distribution network requires adequate protocol to standardize data models in the electricity system equipment and provide operational specifications, such as interoperability, which is why the IEC 61850 standard is implemented. The high information exchange results in vulnerabilities and attacks through attaining access to substation automation controls, such as GOOSE flooding and intrusion of SMV, which poses a major challenge in communication and data exchange. Moreover, this also affects smart metering technologies through the generation of the interfering signal and high frequencies on the communication line, but different mitigation measures are taken, such as integrated anomaly detection and data collected from simulated attacks, employing software-defined network (SDN) switch eliminates possible paths of intrusion and network data overload and intrusion detection system as a countermeasure. The optimization techniques of demand-side resources in and, such as the deterministic optimization methods and non-deterministic methods, were critically studied. The work concludes that IoE is becoming a major player in ADS, which assists in the reduction of faults due to human error, fast responses, and improved stability of power supply. It is also worth noting that automatization and control also have financial benefits to the consumer due to the bidirectional flow of power. In DRs, at a low-voltage level, the challenge becomes the privacy of their information, how to claim compensation from the markets is still not vivid enough, and the accuracy of the measurements from the consumer to the ISO. Cyber threats and security breaches are also and will still be a continuous challenge that needs frequent evaluation and mitigation measures so as not to collapse the power supply system. Multi-input and output systems are a major challenge to both the classical optimization techniques and the heuristic ones. ADN is made up of complex non-linear systems whose requirements need techniques that respond timely, effectively, and adequately to different configurations. Classical optimization, however, cannot handle such complexities. In heuristic techniques, the high frequency of change in system dynamics affects the model formation of MPC due to the complexities and requires high computational power to run such simulations. The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) could further improve the performance of techniques, such as MPC in microgrids, and deep learning could also deal with imprecise models. Conceptualization, S.K. and M.R. ; methodology, E.F.O. ; validation, E.F.O., M.M. and S.K. ; formal analysis, M.M. ; investigation, E.F.O. ; resources, M.M. ; data curation, M.M. ; writing--original draft preparation, E.F.O. and M.M. ; writing--review and editing, E.F.O. and M.M. ; visualization, E.F.O. ; supervision, E.F.O. ; project administration, M.R.