Smart Electric Systems

About the research group

The Smart Electric Systems (SES) Research Group consists of researchers in electrical engineering, which are doing future oriented research for low-carbon, secure, reliable and resilient integrated energy systems. The SES research group focuses on electrical power engineering with practical applications of modern automation, information and communication technology. Main research areas of the SES group are related to flexible energy resources power electronics, energy storage systems, electric transportation, smart grids, and energy markets.

The research group focuses particularly on the following themes:

Flexible Energy Resources
•    Distributed energy resources (DER)
•    DER hosting capacity
•    Energy storage and conversion solutions
•    Microgrids and local energy communities
•    Flexibility services provision for DSO & TSO
•    Demand response optimization

Power Electronics
•    Power converters and digital control systems
•    Modeling and control of power electronics systems
•    Power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing
•    Advanced power electronics solutions in microgrids and electric transportation
•    Power electronics for HVDC systems

Smart Grids
•    Simulation of modern distribution systems
•    Digital twins for smart grids
•    Grid codes and grid integration of DER
•    Protection, automation and communication
•    Virtualized / centralized protection
•    Fault detection and location
•    Communication protocols used in Smart Grids
•    Utilization of 5G and beyond communication
•    Utilization of datacentre infrastructure (Edge/Cloud computing)
•    Cybersecurity in Smart Grid applications
•    Time synchronization
•    Applications of artificial intelligence in Smart Grids

Energy Markets
•    New market structures
•    Ancillary service markets
•    Flexibility service markets

Latest updates

Dissertation 01.12.2025

Virtual battery model paves way for electric vehicle simulations

Talvinen maisema Vaasan yliopiston kampukselta. Punatiiliset rakennukset, lumiset tiet ja puut luovat rauhallisen tunnelman. Etualalla pyörätelineitä ja taustalla vanha tehdasrakennus.

News 20.02.2025

University of Vaasa conducts research on utilising buildings as energy sources

News 29.11.2024

Vaasa strongly involved in supporting green transition in the Nordics

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Public lectures and events

10.-14.8.2026

University of Vaasa at Wasa Future Festival, 10–14 August 2026

Vaasa

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Research projects

Project	Duration	Actors
Future Ready Harbour Concept – Towards Sustainable Maritime Ecosystem	08/2020 - 01/2021	VEBIC, Renewable energy, Smart electric systems, Networked value systems NeVS, Strategic business development, Management, Technology and Innovations, Efficient Powertrain Solutions
Cybersecurity and Resilience of Digital Energy Systems (CR-DES)	04/2020 - 03/2023	Smart electric systems, Cyber-Physical Systems, Technology and Innovations, Resilience
ALBATTS - Alliance for Batteries Technology, Training and Skills	11/2019 - 05/2024	Technology and Innovations, Smart electric systems, Executive Education
CEE4WES - Circular Economy Ecosystem for Waste-to-Energy Sector	11/2019 - 09/2020	VEBIC, Strategic business development, Economics, Management, Accounting and Finance, Smart electric systems
FLEXIMAR, Novel marketplace for energy flexibility	04/2019 - 12/2020	Smart electric systems, VEBIC, Marketing and Consumption Research
SolarX – Maximizing PV integration capacity in energy and power systems	01/2019 - 04/2022	Smart electric systems, VEBIC, Marketing and Consumption Research, Technology and Innovations
SG Platform	11/2018 - 06/2019	Smart electric systems, VEBIC
FUSE	08/2018 - 07/2021	Smart electric systems, VEBIC
SESP	12/2016 - 12/2018	Smart electric systems, VEBIC

Publications

Publication year	Publication	Authors
2026	Developing Strategic Fit in Changing Business Dynamics: The Case of an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Manufacturer	Khan, Hussain Sarwar; Hafeez, Shahid; Mubarak, Muhammad Faraz; Shahzad, Khuram
2026	AC-OPF for Droop-Based Islanded Microgrids with Voltage- and Frequency-Dependent Loads	Zandrazavi, Seyed Farhad; Pashaei, Meysam; Arias, Nataly Bañol; Lopez, Juan Camilo; Soeiro, Thiago Batista; Shafie-Khah, Miadreza
2026	Quantized deep learning model based Volt-Var control for hosting capacity maximization: a practical case study	Khan, Muhammad Kamran; Kauhaniemi, Kimmo; Laaksonen, Hannu; Zafar, Muhammad Hamza
2026	Financing the Green Transition: Principles and Instruments	Küfeoğlu, Sinan
2026	Unified dual-PINN solution for DC-DC power converter modeling and control with fast piecewise CPL sensing	Razmi, Peyman; Simoes, Marcelo Godoy; Elmusrati, Mohammed
2025	Future Electricity Network Management: Effects and Possibilities of Local Markets and Electric Vehicles	Ebrahimi, Seyed Mahoor
2025	Variable Voltage-based Power Management of DC Microgrids: With Focus on Shipboard Power Systems	Alho, Timo M. R.
2025	Ignition and combustion studies of alternative engine fuels	Hissa, Michaela
2025	Improved Frequency Stability Support for Low-Inertia Power Systems	Laaksonen, Hannu
2025	Role of Hydrogen in Optimal Operational Planning of Multi-Energy Microgrids	Shahbazbegian, Vahid; Ameli, Hossein; Laaksonen, Hannu