Power Engineering Laboratory

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RESEARCH FOCUS

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Grid Stability and Control: As we embark on the critical journey toward sustainable energy, the integration of power-electronic DC/AC converters—commonly known as inverters—has become indispensable. These sophisticated devices serve as the vital link between renewable energy sources and the existing AC power grid, varying in scale from residential installations to expansive utility-scale projects.​ This paradigm shift from traditional energy systems to inverter-based solutions is revolutionising grid operations. Historically, power grids relied on a limited number of spinning electromechanical machines, but the increasing deployment of power electronic inverters signifies a transformative change in disturbance management.​ 

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With the reduction of grid inertia, there is a compelling consensus within the energy sector on the necessity for inverter-based resources (IBRs) to undertake essential functions such as frequency regulation, voltage stabilisation, and inertial response during disturbances. These IBRs, known as grid-forming (GFM) inverters, are being integrated into grids worldwide, significantly enhancing stability and reliability.​ However, the rising number of GFM inverters can lead to intricate interactions that may introduce instability if not effectively coordinated. Research at PEng Lab is dedicated to unraveling these complexities and developing innovative strategies for seamless coordination among GFM inverters. By tackling these challenges head-on, we can forge a more stable and resilient power grid that fully harnesses the immense potential of renewable energy sources for a sustainable future.

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Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): Grid resilience refers to the ability of the power grid to minimise the consequences of disruptions, including operational uncertainties stemming from new technologies, prosumer behaviours, and malicious attacks on system integrity. This resilience challenge is compounded by the large-scale integration of IBRs and an increasing reliance on communication infrastructure, alongside the growing participation of prosumers—individuals who both produce and consume energy—in grid operations. While the dependence on communication networks raises significant concerns about cyber-physical resilience, our research has uniquely demonstrated that prosumer engagement can also be vulnerable to behavioural manipulation attacks via social media, introducing a new layer of risk to modern power grids.

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We are pioneers in merging computational social science with power system analysis, effectively closing the loop between cyber-physical systems and the users who interact with them. I refer to this approach as society-in-the-loop analysis of power systems. This innovative framework has revealed previously unknown mechanisms through which targeted manipulation of end-user behavior can undermine grid resilience. Additionally, it has shown how grid data can serve as a valuable indicator of social behavior during unprecedented disruptive events, such as a pandemic.

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