Power Systems and Smart Grid Integration: Challenges and Opportunities for Modern Energy Networks
A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Power Electronics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2026 | Viewed by 258
Editors
Interests: electrical engineering; electronics; memristors; artificial intelligence; neural networks; power systems; applied mathematics; signal processing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: electric load estimation; transmission and distribution lines; energy storage systems; lightning performance and protection; stability analysis; reliability; renewable sources of energy and artificial neural networks; supervised and unsupervised machine learning and swarm optimization algorithms; digital twin systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Modern energy infrastructures are undergoing a rapid and unprecedented transformation, driven by the global imperative for decarbonization, the surge in renewable energy sources, and the comprehensive digitalization of power systems. This Special Issue (SI) focuses on the technological, operational, and regulatory advancements required to build resilient, flexible, and intelligent power networks capable of meeting future energy demands.
The transition toward smart grids introduces both significant strategic opportunities and complex systemic challenges. On one hand, the integration of distributed energy resources (DER), advanced metering technologies, automation, and data-driven control strategies enhances efficiency, reliability, and consumer engagement. On the other hand, the variability of renewable generation, aging infrastructure, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and evolving market structures impose new pressures on system planning and operations.
Addressing these multifaceted issues necessitates interdisciplinary research, innovative engineering solutions, and coordinated policy frameworks. This SI invites contributions that explore cutting-edge methods for grid modernization, including advanced control algorithms, forecasting techniques, energy storage integration, and real-time monitoring systems. Additionally, we welcome studies on microgrids, virtual power plants, demand response programs, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in optimizing grid performance. Beyond technical innovations, we seek insights into regulatory models, economic mechanisms, and societal impacts that influence the deployment of smart grid technologies.
By bringing together diverse perspectives from academia, industry, and policy, this SI aims to highlight emerging trends, identify persistent barriers, and showcase practical pathways toward a more sustainable and intelligent energy future. The collected papers will contribute to a deeper understanding of how modern power systems can evolve to support high levels of renewable penetration, ensure system resilience, and empower consumers in an increasingly digital energy landscape.
Submissions may include theoretical developments, modeling and simulation studies, experimental results, case studies, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Smart grid architectures and control strategies;
- Integration of renewable and distributed energy resources;
- Grid stability, reliability, and resilience under high renewable energy source (RES) penetration;
- Energy storage systems and hybrid solutions;
- Demand response, flexibility markets, and prosumer participation;
- Cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management in digitalized grids;
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven methods for grid optimization;
- Microgrids, virtual power plants, and decentralized energy systems;
- Advanced metering infrastructure and IoT-enabled monitoring;
- Regulatory, economic, and policy frameworks for smart grid deployment.
We look forward to receiving your papers to support this important scientific research for the future of energy networks.
Prof. Dr. Valeri M. Mladenov
Dr. Stylianos Pappas
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- smart grid integration
- renewable energy sources
- decarbonization
- grid resilience
- distributed energy resources
- cybersecurity
- artificial intelligence
- energy storage systems
- microgrids
- virtual power plants
- regulatory frameworks
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