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Approaches and Experiences of Monitoring and Control of Electrical Distribution Grids

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 1789

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ferdinanda Ponci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, RWTH Aachen University, 52064 Aachen, Germany
Interests: electrical power engineering; distributed generation; measurement, monitoring, and automation of electrical distribution systems; distributed control for power systems, monitoring, and control of active electrical distribution grids and urban energy grids; power hardware-in-the-loop platform for the testing of monitoring systems; multiagent control system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marco Pau

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Grid Planning and Grid Operation, Fraunhofer IEE, 34121 Kassel, Germany
Interests: design of measurement systems for monitoring and management of active distribution systems; development of solutions for distribution grid automation; power system state estimation; distribution networks; power system measurement; power grids; mathematical analysis; demand-side management; smart meters; distributed power generation; fault location; measurement uncertainty; power engineering computing; AC–DC power converters; Internet of Things; Kalman filters
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Distribution systems, at low and medium voltage levels, are at the core of energy transformation and electrification around the world. The integration of renewable generation, storage, new load behaviours, power electronics and hybrid AC/DC grids is changing the power landscape and the requirements for monitoring and control, and also for standardization, testing and regulation. Digitalization and data-driven solutions are still in development and are creating new opportunities and challenges at the same time.

Scientific research, technical development and deployment of new technologies are proceeding at different speeds. The Technology Readiness Levels are very diverse.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advancements in the form of concepts, theoretical formulations, practical implementations, lessons learnt from numerical simulation and field demonstrations.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Methods for grid monitoring and measurement.
  • Forecasting.
  • Techniques/workflows for the estimation and provision of flexibility.
  • Solutions for congestion management and implementation of redispatch processes.
  • Impact and smart management of DG and controllable loads (e.g., heat pumps, electric vehicles, etc.).
  • Design and validation of algorithms for self-healing grids.
  • Challenges, approaches and experiences on automation and digitalization of MV and LV grids.
  • Data and data spaces.
  • Security.
  • Design or practical integration of AI tools for grid monitoring and control.
  • Disruptive concepts and perspectives on modernization and operation of future distribution grids.
  • Standardization needs.
  • Testing and certification.
  • Grid codes.
  • Energy communities.

Prof. Dr. Ferdinanda Ponci
Dr. Marco Pau
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • distribution grids
  • monitoring
  • control
  • distributed monitoring
  • distributed control
  • operation
  • automation
  • digitalization
  • data
  • data spaces
  • AI
  • flexibility
  • testing
  • standards

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 491 KiB  
Article
Fully Solar Residential Energy Community: A Study on the Feasibility in the Italian Context
by Grazia Barchi, Marco Pierro, Mattia Secchi and David Moser
Energies 2025, 18(8), 1988; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18081988 - 12 Apr 2025
Viewed by 309
Abstract
Expanding the installation and use of renewable energy sources will help Europe reach its energy and climate goals. Additionally, users of small-scale photovoltaic systems will be essential to the energy transition by forming renewable energy communities (RECs). This paper offers a techno-economic analysis [...] Read more.
Expanding the installation and use of renewable energy sources will help Europe reach its energy and climate goals. Additionally, users of small-scale photovoltaic systems will be essential to the energy transition by forming renewable energy communities (RECs). This paper offers a techno-economic analysis of the Italian REC incentive system and a suitable business model to encourage residential photovoltaic and battery installations and lower electricity costs. In this paper, we present a community model that includes a set number of prosumers, a growing number of consumers, and various configurations and management strategies for photovoltaic (PV) and battery systems. Key elements of novelty include (i) the implementation of a fully-solar REC with PV and storage under the Italian incentive scheme, (ii) the introduction a of novel centralized BESS control strategy based on firm generation that maximises energy sharing while minimising its grid impact, (iii) the economic profitability analysis of the PV and storage system for consumers and prosumers when different BESS control strategies are applied. The simulation results show that energy performance increases if a centralized battery management strategy is activated and more consumers join the community. In addition, the proposed business model shows that the best profitability is achieved when there are as many consumers as prosumers. Most importantly, the approach was extended to the extreme case of a “fully solar-powered” community, demonstrating that the REC model is viable even with the current PV and battery costs. Finally, we show that fully solar-powered communities can be easily implemented where homeowners have enough surface for PV installation and purchase a central battery through crowdfunding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches and Experiences of Monitoring and Control of Electrical Distribution Grids)
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34 pages, 2669 KiB  
Article
Self-Diagnostic Advanced Metering Infrastructure Based on Power-Line Communication: A Study Case in Spanish Low-Voltage Distribution Networks
by Matías Ariel Kippke Salomón, José Manuel Carou Álvarez, Lucía Suárez Ramón and Pablo Arboleya
Energies 2025, 18(7), 1746; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071746 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 194
Abstract
The transformation of low-voltage distribution grids toward decentralized, user-centric models has increased the need for advanced metering infrastructures capable of ensuring both visibility and control. This paper presents a self-diagnostic advanced metering solution based on power-line communication deployed in a segment of the [...] Read more.
The transformation of low-voltage distribution grids toward decentralized, user-centric models has increased the need for advanced metering infrastructures capable of ensuring both visibility and control. This paper presents a self-diagnostic advanced metering solution based on power-line communication deployed in a segment of the Spanish distribution network. The proposed infrastructure leverages the existing power network as a shared-media communication channel, reducing capital expenditures while enhancing system observability. A methodology is introduced for integrating smart metering data with topological and operational analytics to improve network monitoring and energy management. This study details the proposed metering infrastructure, highlighting its role in enhancing distribution network resilience through asynchronous energy measurements, event-driven analytics, and dynamic grid management strategies. The self-diagnostic module enables the detection of non-technical losses, identification of congested areas, and monitoring of network assets. Furthermore, this paper discusses the regulatory and technological challenges associated with scaling metering solutions, particularly in the context of increasing distributed energy resource penetration and evolving European Union regulatory frameworks. The findings demonstrate that a well-integrated advanced metering infrastructure system significantly improves distribution network efficiency, enabling proactive congestion detection and advanced load management techniques. However, this study also emphasizes the limitations of PLC in high-noise environments and proposes enhancements such as hybrid communication approaches to improve reliability and real-time performance. The insights provided contribute to the ongoing evolution of metering infrastructure technologies, offering a path toward more efficient and resource-optimized smart grids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches and Experiences of Monitoring and Control of Electrical Distribution Grids)
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20 pages, 3488 KiB  
Article
Wide-Area Damping Control for Clustered Microgrids
by Rossano Musca, Eleonora Riva Sanseverino, Josep M. Guerrero and Juan C. Vasquez
Energies 2025, 18(7), 1632; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071632 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 339
Abstract
The increasing integration of renewable energy sources and distributed generation has led to new challenges in maintaining power system stability. This work presents a novel approach to wide-area damping control (WADC) for clustered microgrids, addressing inter-area oscillations and enhancing system stability. The proposed [...] Read more.
The increasing integration of renewable energy sources and distributed generation has led to new challenges in maintaining power system stability. This work presents a novel approach to wide-area damping control (WADC) for clustered microgrids, addressing inter-area oscillations and enhancing system stability. The proposed methodology leverages wide-area measurements and clustering algorithms to coordinate microgrid participation in damping control. A specific WADC concept is first formulated, detailing the mathematical background and the emergence of damping couplings. A bio-inspired flocking algorithm is introduced to determine how the microgrids are clustered, coordinated, and controlled. For that, three particular principles of the flocking algorithm are discussed. The developed control strategy is applied to the IEEE 68-bus benchmark system, where microgrids serve as actuators of the WADC to stabilize the oscillations in the system. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in damping performance, achieving stable system dynamics with minimal impact on microgrid resources. The findings highlight the feasibility of integrating microgrids into wide-area control schemes, offering a scalable solution for modern power grids with high renewable penetration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches and Experiences of Monitoring and Control of Electrical Distribution Grids)
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19 pages, 12144 KiB  
Article
Voltage-Triggered Flexibility Provision in a Distribution Network with Limited Observability
by Martin Bolfek and Tomislav Capuder
Energies 2024, 17(16), 4091; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164091 - 17 Aug 2024
Viewed by 650
Abstract
Variable renewable energy sources (VRESs) are essential for decarbonizing the energy sector, but they introduce significant uncertainty into power grids. This uncertainty necessitates increased flexibility to ensure reliable and efficient grid operations, impacting both short-term strategies and long-term planning. Effective management of VRESs [...] Read more.
Variable renewable energy sources (VRESs) are essential for decarbonizing the energy sector, but they introduce significant uncertainty into power grids. This uncertainty necessitates increased flexibility to ensure reliable and efficient grid operations, impacting both short-term strategies and long-term planning. Effective management of VRESs is particularly challenging for distribution system operators (DSOs) due to limited grid measurement and other data, complicating state estimation. This paper proposes a tractable framework that operates under low-observability conditions. The framework uses conservative linear approximations (CLAs) to manage grid constraints efficiently, requiring only the ranges of power injections typically available to operators. The objectives are twofold: first, to determine the amount and location of flexibility needed to prevent voltage violations and, second, to establish voltage measurement thresholds to trigger flexibility activation. Key contributions include the formulation of optimization problems to mitigate voltage issues, the introduction of flexibility provision triggered by voltage thresholds, and novel algorithms for determining flexibility and trigger points. The framework’s efficacy is demonstrated on IEEE 33-bus and UK 124-bus test systems, showing it can effectively mitigate grid voltage problems despite limited data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches and Experiences of Monitoring and Control of Electrical Distribution Grids)
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