With the advancement of the mode of improving quality and efficiency in power development, the utilization efficiency evaluation of the power distribution system with rapidly growing is of vital importance. The research on the utilization efficiency of power distribution system is in the exploratory stage from shallow to deep while the existing research foundation is not deep and the future research direction is not clear. For this reason, this paper summarizes the research progress and looks forward to the adaptive evaluation ideas for the utilization efficiency evaluation of power distribution system. Firstly, considering that there is no unified definition of utilization efficiency at present, three types of connotations of utilization efficiency of power distribution system are defined. Then, the research progress is summarized at the equipment level and system level, and the consistency between the two research levels are sorted out. On this basis, this paper looks forward to the future research direction of power distribution system utilization efficiency evaluation. Focusing on future adaptability evaluation methods, relevant ideas are discussed such as utilization efficiency evaluation index system of power distribution system based on three dimensions, evaluation model of the interaction between individual equipment and the whole system. It also points out the research ideas for future development of utilization efficiency evaluation.