Our Research Focus
Our research spans the full spectrum of modern electrical systems, combining rigorous mathematical modeling, GIS-based spatial analysis, and data-driven methodologies to address the most pressing challenges of the energy transition.
Our work addresses both the physical and market dimensions of power systems: from the integration of distributed renewable generation and the design of local flexibility markets, to the simulation of European electricity markets and the development of advanced optimal power flow algorithms.
Across all these themes, our research is driven by a commitment to real-world applicability — translating theoretical advances into practical tools and operational procedures that support TSOs, DSOs and energy companies.
Distribution Network Planning & Operation
Development of mathematical models and GIS-based tools for planning, optimizing, and managing MV/LV distribution networks, including feeder routing, substation siting, network reconfiguration, and three-phase unbalanced power flow analysis.
Reliability & Resilience of Distribution Networks
Heuristic and MILP-based methodologies to assess and improve network reliability and resilience against extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, cable joint failures, and contingency scenarios, including network restoration algorithms.
Smart Grids, DMS & Industrial IoT
Development of Integrated Distribution Management System platforms for distribution control centers, including state estimation in poorly observable MV and LV grids, IIoT architectures for active distribution networks, and remote control of secondary substations.
Renewable Energy Integration
Hosting capacity assessment, voltage regulation in the presence of distributed energy resources, impact analysis of EVs and PV systems on distribution grids, and large-scale GIS-based estimation of solar and wind generation potential, including Building-Integrated PV.
Ancillary Services & Local Flexibility Markets
Methodologies for ancillary service provision and baseline definition, coupled with DER siting and sizing models and multi-stage optimization frameworks for local flexibility markets, enabling DSOs to procure services from prosumers and aggregators.
Microgrids, Energy Communities and Storage Systems
Development of optimization models for microgrid operation and market participation, including ancillary services, and techno-economic design of Renewable Energy Communities, storage, and integrated multi-energy systems.
Machine Learning & Big Data for Power Systems
Application of supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms for load profile classification, substation load forecasting, reinforcement learning for voltage regulation, fault prediction during heatwaves, and electromechanical oscillation detection in transmission networks.
Asset Management & Predictive Maintenance
AI-based diagnostic methodologies for identifying critical points on MV networks, edge computing architectures for condition-based monitoring of distribution assets, and predictive maintenance procedures for secondary substations.
Electricity Markets & TSO-DSO Coordination
Modeling and simulation of day-ahead and intraday electricity markets, zonal structure definition, Total Transfer Capacity calculation, congestion management, and ancillary services markets. Includes Flow-Based market coupling at the European level.
Optimal Power Flow & Reactive Power Management
Development of Optimal Power Flow and Optimal Reactive Power Flow algorithms with security-oriented objective functions, multi-objective optimization, and voltage and frequency stability constraints, applied to both transmission networks and distribution grids.
Transmission Network Planning
Probabilistic scenario development for medium-term planning of the national transmission network, Dynamic Thermal Rating nowcasting algorithms, clustering of EHV voltage profiles, and TSO-DSO coordination frameworks for modern power systems.
Power System Dynamics & Stability
Electromechanical oscillation detection and analysis, design of Power Oscillation Damping controllers for VSC-HVDC systems, and transient stability studies for power systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources.
Research Partners
ETLAB collaborates with leading industrial partners, utilities, transmission and distribution system operators, and research organizations across the full spectrum of power systems research.
Software & Simulation Tools
Power System Simulation & Analysis
PowerWorld Simulator
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
ETAP
Programming & Optimization
Python, pandas, pandapower, pyomo, scikit-learn
MATLAB / Simulink
GAMS
GIS & Spatial Analysis
QGIS
ArcGIS