Special Session 21
Digitalization and Intelligence for Distribution Power Systems
In the era of energy transition, distribution power systems are undergoing a paradigm shift from passive networks to active, interconnected, and intelligent cyber-physical systems. The widespread integration of distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems introduces significant variability and complexity to grid operations. Digitalization and intelligence are pivotal for addressing these challenges. Digitalization utilizes advanced sensing, Internet of Things, and high-speed communication technologies to generate and transmit massive amounts of data. Intelligence, powered by AI and big data analytics, unlocks the value of this data enabling accurate forecasting, autonomous control, and optimized decision-making. This Special Session aims to bring together researchers and engineers to discuss the latest advancements in digital technologies and intelligent algorithms that ensure the secure, efficient, and low-carbon operation of modern distribution networks. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:Application of AI and machine learning in distribution system planning and operation;
Digital technologies for distribution networks and microgrids;
Advanced sensing, measurement, and metering;
Data analytics for load forecasting, state estimation, and asset management;
Internet of Things, 5G/6G communications, and edge computing in smart grids;
Cyber-physical security, attack detection, and defense mechanisms;
Intelligent fault detection, location, isolation, and service restoration;
Coordinated control and management of distributed energy resources and aggregators;
Decentralized and distributed control architectures.
Chairs:
Dr. Suhan Zhang, University of Sheffield, UK
Suhan Zhang (Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree from the School of Electrical Engineering, Nanyang Southeast University, China, in 2023. He was a visiting scholar and postdoc fellow with University of Birmingham, UK, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University from 2021-2024. In 2024, he joined University of Sheffield, UK as a Research Associate. He is the member of CIGRE UK NGN and IEEE PES WG on Test Systems and Economics. He is the associate/guest editor of IET RPG/STG, PCMP and symmetry. His research interests include cyber-physical power and energy systems, power system simulation ana analytics.
Assoc. Prof. Shiwei Xia, North China Electric Power University, China
Shiwei Xia (S’11–M’15–SM’20) received the Ph. D. degree in Power Systems from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China, in 2015. He was also a Visiting Faculty member with the Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA, in 2019. Currently, he is with the State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China. His research interests include security and risk analysis for power systems with renewables, distributed optimization and control of multiple sustainable energy sources in smart grid.
Assoc. Prof. Kecheng He, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, China
Kecheng He (Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Tianjin University, Tianjin, China, in 2025. From 2024 to 2025, he was an Assistant Researcher at the School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, U.K., where he participated in collaborative research on smart transportation and energy systems. He is currently an Associate Professor with Lanzhou Jiaotong University, China. His research interests include electric vehicle charging infrastructure planning, mobile energy supply systems, and the modeling and optimization of integrated transportation–energy networks.
Dr. Jin Tan, Shanghai University of Electric Power, China
Jin Tan received the Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in 2022. She is currently a Lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power. Her primary research focuses on integrated energy system planning and operation, energy storage system capacity configuration, and uncertainty modeling for renewable energy generation.
Prof. Junhui LI, Northeast Electric Power University, China
Dr. Junhui Li is a Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor. He engaged in research in energy storage planning and regulation. The first author/corresponding author has published over 50 SCI/EI indexed journal articles, obtained over 40 authorized patents, and has led and undertaken over 40 projects. Senior member of the Chinese Society of Electrical Engineering/Electrotechnical Society/IEEE, member of the Energy Internet Special Committee, selected as one of the top 2% scientists of Elsevier in the world from 2023-2025, and served as editorial board member/assistant editor of several journals. Received two first prize and one third prize for scientific and technological progress in Jilin Province, as well as one first prize for electric power science and technology.