The section of Electric Power Systems and Microgrids offers world class expertise in research and teaching within the areas of Transmission and Distribution systems, Microgrids and Wind Power systems. Our competences are aligned with the multitude of challenges the transition towards the 100 % clean energy societies, electrification of energy sectors and digitalization of the energy system face. Our vision is to lead the shaping of the progressive research targets to accomplish the energy transition.

Modern transmission grids
The transmission system nationally and cross-borders is the backbone of reaching 100% clean energy in fully electrified societies. Numerous studies outline the needs for major transmission grid expansions to enable the green transition worldwide.  This challenges the way transmission systems have been designed previously, and new designs and new modes of operation have to be researched and developed. The concept is entitled “The Macrogrid”. This includes the technologies with which electric power is transported on- and off-shore in HVAC or HVDC overhead lines and cables and the associated ways to operate such systems. Special focus is given to multiterminal HVDC, underground/submarine cable systems, energy islands, insulation coordination, new designs for overhead lines, protection systems, harmonic interactions, interface with PtX, usage of AI and the power electronics based power system. High voltage engineering is an integral part of stepping into new solutions maintaining resiliency of the entire transmission system.

Intelligent energy distribution grids
The future green energy transition demands special focus on renewable energy integration as well as electrification of the transport as well as the heating/cooling sector with an expectation of a huge increase of the electrical consumption at low and medium voltage level. This demands focus on hosting capacity, flexibility provision using demand response from active loads, power quality provision, network planning, state estimation and supervision of the grid, as well as being able to simulate influence of multi-energy systems (heating, cooling, water, gas, transport) on the distribution grid. This also affect the overall control and automation as well as the protection of the distribution grids, which is analysed and simulated using different simulation tools, to set up the future automation needs for the grids. The electrical markets and ancillary service provisions influence on the control and needed automation is also a focus area for the future intelligent distribution grids.

Microgrids
Microgrids are known as a multidisciplinary solution for the large renewable energy integration and management of sustainable distributed resources, enhancing the efficiency of power systems and accelerating the large-scale electrification of remote areas and off-grid systems. In this regard, microgrids have found significant contributions in the electrical system modernization, including terrestrial, maritime, aircraft, and space applications. However, operation and energy management of microgrids is a challenging task requiring the coordination of different generation and storage technologies with a variety of requirements with advanced control and communication architectures. Therefore, to cope with these challenges, promising microgrid solutions are targeted, specifically: 1) Hierarchical control frameworks for resilient and secure grids; 2) Artificial intelligence and digitalization technologies; and 3) Coordinated operation of microgrid clusters.

Research Mission
The research mission for all the section’s topics is to facilitate the future green transition with higher integration of renewables and electrification of energy sectors which used to be fuelled by fossil fuel, and at the same time optimise the power system security and reliability in an effective electricity market.