With the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, a large number of distributed power sources are connected to the distribution network, which brings new problems and challenges to the network structure, control methods and market operation. Driven by policy strategy, energy transition, economic development, and technological innovation, the development of traditional passive distribution networks to active distribution network, abbreviated as ADN, has become an inevitable trend. Based on the development status of China's distribution network, this paper analyzes the morphological characteristics of the ADN, gives a definition of the ADN and its morphological characteristics, and gives a phased judgment on its morphological characteristics and evolution direction, which provides a guidance reference for the transformation and upgrading of distribution network.

Active Distribution Network (ADN),morphological characteristic,source gird load storage,evolutionary route,distributed power,control protection