Next-Generation Distribution System Planning, Operation, and Control

Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026 View: 333 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Assoc. Prof. Da Xu

Email: xuda@cug.edu.cn

Affiliation: School of Automation, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

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Research Interests: multi-energy system, transactive energy control, demand response, urban distribution networks

Assoc. Prof. Xiaodong Yang

Email: yang_xd90@163.com

Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and High Quality Electric Energy Conversion, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China

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Research Interests: multi-microgrids system, demand response, urban distribution networks

Dr. Ziyi Bai

Email: baiziyi@hbut.edu.cn

Affiliation: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430064, China

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Research Interests: urban distribution networks, renewable energy, distributed generation

Assoc. Prof. Kuan Zhang

Email: kuanzhang@ncepu.edu.cn

Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China

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Research Interests: optimal operation of electricity-hydrogen integrated energy system, energy management of virtual power plant

Dr. Yingping Cao

Email: yingping.cao@polyu.edu.hk

Affiliation: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,  The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China

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Research Interests: smart grid planning and operation, multi-energy network modelling, energy system resilience, renewable energy generation

Summary

In recent years, the accelerating integration of distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and intelligent loads has reshaped the operational landscape of modern power distribution systems. This transformation is driven not only by decarbonization goals but also by the urgent need for flexibility, resilience, and efficiency in grid operation. Traditional planning and control paradigms are no longer sufficient to address the dynamic, multidirectional, and data-intensive nature of next-generation distribution networks. In this context, advanced technologies such as edge computing, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and transactive energy management are emerging as enablers of a smarter, more adaptive grid infrastructure. To ensure secure, economic, and sustainable electricity supply in the era of energy decentralization and electrification, there is a pressing need to explore innovative planning, operation, and control approaches tailored to the complexity of future distribution systems.

This Special Issue seeks to gather cutting-edge research contributions that address key challenges and present novel methodologies for the planning, operation, and control of next-generation distribution systems.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
· Distribution system planning, operation, and control;
· Artificial intelligence (AI) -based forecasting, optimization, and decision-making techniques;
· Electricity-hydrogen or electricity-gas or electricity-heat-gas multi-energy system planning and operation;
· Electricity-transportation system planning and operation;
· Renewable energy or electric vehicle control;
· Digital twins and cyber-physical systems for distribution networks;
· Real-time monitoring, state estimation, and situational awareness.

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