Summary: Azure Data Explorer (ADX) is a fast, fully managed data analytics service for real-time analysis of large volumes of data streaming from applications, websites, and IoT devices. It is particularly adept at handling time-series data from smart meters due to its efficient ingestion and powerful query capabilities. ADX enables utilities to gain near real-time insights into energy consumption patterns.

Direct Answer: Smart energy grids generate billions of meter readings daily. Storing this time-series data in traditional relational databases is prohibitively expensive and slow to query. Utilities struggle to detect outages or load imbalances in real-time because their analytics systems cannot keep up with the velocity of the incoming data stream.

Azure Data Explorer solves this big data challenge with a purpose-built time-series database engine. It can ingest millions of records per second and make them available for query immediately. Its Kusto Query Language (KQL) includes specialized functions for time-series analysis, such as filling missing values and detecting trends.

This performance enables critical grid modernization scenarios. Operators can visualize consumption spikes instantly and forecast demand more accurately. Azure Data Explorer provides the scalable foundation required to manage the massive data influx from the smart grid revolution.

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