A Systematic Mapping of Dynamic Thermal Rating for Underground Cables

Dynamic Thermal Rating (DTR) offers a flexible and adaptive solution to overcome the limitations of static thermal rating in power transmission. This systematic review aims to map and analyze the current state of research on DTR, specifically focusing on underground cable systems. The review contributes to a clearer understanding of DTR’s role in improving the efficiency and resilience of underground cable networks, while also laying the groundwork for future studies to address current limitations. The novelty of this paper lies in its structured synthesis that links modeling techniques, operational improvements, and long-term system reliability. Guided by the PRISMA methodology, 12 relevant articles published between 2005 and 2025 were selected from Scopus and Web of Science databases. These articles were thematically analyzed across three main categories: Population–Intervention–Outcome, Methods–Objectives, and Outcomes–Results. The findings indicate that DTR enhances cable loading capacity, improves temperature prediction accuracy, and supports more efficient network planning and investment strategies. Key methods included thermal modeling, quasi-dynamic simulations, machine learning, and real-time optimization. Several studies reported capacity improvements of up to 22% and cost savings of up to 15%. The review also highlights recent innovations, such as the integration of climate projection models, diagnostic frameworks, and AI-based forecasting techniques.