DGRI Logo

The Distribution Grids Research & Innovation (DGRI) Lab is based in the Electrical and Software Engineering Department of the University of Calgary. The moniker "DGRI" is pronounced similarly to "degree," signifying the group's commitment to climate change mitigation (hence, the ° symbol in the logo). The name also serves as a tribute to its location, aligning phonetically with "Calgary” (hence the 'C' shape in the logo). The square in the logo is a bird' s-eye view of a mortarboard, tributing to the Lab's alums' degrees.

Prospective Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows: I have no open MSc, PhD, or PDF positions at the moment. However, you may submit your information using the following application forms, and you will be considered in future search rounds. I am not responding to application inquiries received through email.

Prospective BSc Researchers: Please contact me via my UCalgary email with your CV and transcripts attached.
Research Areas
DGRI Lab advances electrical energy transition with a focus on distribution systems and microgrids. We are interested in planning and operational challenges arising from the increasing penetration of heterogeneous stochastic resources and demand, often inverter-interfaced. These include distributed energy resources such as batteries and solar PV, novel power-electronics-based controls, flexible demand, and electrified transportation. Furthermore, we are interested in the active role distribution systems and microgrids can play in enhancing the resiliency of the interconnected system to extreme weather events. Finally, we innovate market models to balance energy distribution democracy and equity in areas with a high penetration of distributed energy resources and electric vehicles. We study definition, modeling, planning, optimization, and control of these paradigms, covering a broad range of phenomena.

phenomena

Our research hovers at the intersection of smart grids and machine learning (ML). We utilize a wide range of ML methods to estimate variables, enhance control computational efficiency, and mitigate the environment's stochasticity. We apply supervised and unsupervised learning to classify, categorize, estimate, or forecast parameters of a partially observable model (plant), leverage supervised learning for its simulation, and use imitation and reinforcement learning for the optimal control of its high-dimensional, stochastic, and non-stationary state-action space.

environment

DGRI Lab is currently involved in several major initiatives and pursue the following specific research areas:

  • - ML-Driven Stability Analysis and Enhancement: 5-year project 2024-2029;
  • - ML-Driven Energy Storage Modeling: 2-year project 2024-2026;
  • - Resiliency to Extreme Weather Events: 5-year project 2023-2028;
  • - T&D Co-Planning & Coordinated Operation: 3-year project 2023-2026;
  • - Transactive and Distribution-Level Markets: 3-year project 2023-2026.
Research Team
PDF:
  1. Matthew Schlegel, Incoming April 2025
    • - Research keywords: power systems, machine learning, mathematical modeling
  2. Haotian Yao, May 2024 - present
    • - Research keywords: distribution systems, optimization, transactive markets
  3. Sumedha Sharma (co-superviser), Aug. 2022 - Feb. 2024
    • - Research keywords: distribution systems, mathematical modeling, markets

PhD:
  1. Yuhao Huang (co-supervisor), Incoming May 2025
    • - Research keywords: power systems, dynamic modeling, machine learning
  2. Pantelis Stefanakis, Sept. 2024 - present
    • - Research keywords: power systems, dynamic modeling, machine learning
  3. Chibuike Ohanu, May 2024 - present
    • - Research keywords: networked microgrids, stability
  4. Ala'a Al-Sharif, Jan. 2024 - present,
    • - Research keywords: distributoin systems, optimization, resiliency
  5. Vahid Hakimian, Aug. 2023 - present
    • - Research keywords: distribution systems, optimization, transactive markets
  6. Shoaib Hussain (co-superviser), Aug. 2022 - present
    • - Research keywords: distributoin systems, optimization, machine learning

MSc:
  1. Debora Moreira (part-time), Incoming May 2025
    • - Research keywords: microgrids, dynamic modeling, stability
  2. Irtaza Sohail, May 2024 - present
    • - Research keywords: solar PV, mathematical modeling, energy security
  3. Masoud Hajian Foroushani, Jan. 2024 - present
    • - Research keywords: networked microgrids, optimization, networked systems
  4. Punsara Samarakkody, May 2023 - present
    • - Research keywords: distributoin systems, mathematical modeling, system identification
  5. Samuel Bakker (part-time, co-superviser), May 2023 - present
    • - Research keywords: microgrids, optimization, forecasting
  6. Abhinav Ayri (part-time, co-superviser), Nov. 2022 - present
    • - Research keywords: T&D coordination, optimization

BSc:
  1. Delaram Bahreini Esfahani, Incoming May 2025
    • - Research keywords: renewable energies, electric vehicles, mathematical modeling
  2. Yu Xiang Sun, Incoming May 2025
    • - Research keywords: distribution systems, system identification
  3. Saud Amjad, May. 2024 - August 2024
    • - Research keywords: solar PV, mathematical modeling, resiliency
  4. Hannah Zareipour, May 2024 - August 2024
    • - Research keywords: electric vehivles, data mining, modeling
  5. Ali Ahmed, May. 2024 - June 2024
    • - Research keywords: solar PV, software development, data acquisition
  6. Jailim Lugo, May. 2023 - August 2023
    • - Research keywords: power systems, machine learning, software systems

team

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