Energy and Smart Grid Research Group

Secure, reliable, affordable, clean and equitable energy supply is fundamental to global economic growth and human development. The World Energy Council has predicted a substantial rise in the global energy demand mainly driven by economic growth of non-OECD countries like China, Brazil and India. Due to the rise of energy demand in recent years both for urban and rural areas and the rise in fossil fuel tariff, there is a need to maximise the utilisation of the energy infrastructure and all its resources to ensure a sustainable electricity supply. 

Advances in power electronics, monitoring systems, sensor technology, communication systems, data analytics, and smart metering have led to the evolution of the Smart Grid where the resources and demand can be better managed. Smart Grid technology facilitates the integration of energy storage and renewables with the grid to ensure sustainability of electricity supply, mitigate rising power outages and help meet the rapidly rising demand for clean energy in urban and rural areas.

The purpose of the group is to promote and encourage smart grid research and innovations. Our current research interests include: virtual power plants, renewable and storage integration, planning & operations, cyber security and privacy, and energy efficient communications. The key work in the group is to develop innovative technology within the framework of the emerging Smart Grid theme.