Abstract: Beidou navigation satellite system（BDS）is important for the development of smart grid. Based on an analysis of BDS’s development status quo and trend, and the needs of smart grid, a research is carried out on application of BDS in smart grid. An unified spatial-temporal information support framework is constructed based on BDS, and the typical applications of BDS in smart grid, such as high-precision time service, positioning and navigation, and short message communication, are analyzed. The results show that BDS will be the basic support component for smart grid development in the future, and the comprehensive application of big data, cloud computing, Internet of things (IoT), mobile Internet, artificial intelligence(AI) and other technologies will enhance the integration of BDS. However, further application of BDS in smart grid will face such challenges as cost, application scenario expansion, standard system construction, etc.