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.
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.
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.
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.
PDF:
- Matthew Schlegel, April 2025 - present
- - Research keywords: power systems, machine learning, mathematical modeling
- - RLC 2025 Towards Understanding the Challenges of Applying Reinforcement Learning to the Power Grid.
- Haotian Yao, May 2024 - present
- - Research keywords: distribution systems, optimization, transactive markets
- - IEEE OAJPE paper (2nd author - equal contribution): A Dynamic Retail Market Model To Investigate Sustainability of Retail Contracts in DERs-Penetrated Markets.
- - arXiv paper: Emission-Aware Operation of Electrical Energy Storage Systems.
- Sumedha Sharma (co-superviser), Aug. 2022 - Feb. 2024
- - Research keywords: distribution systems, mathematical modeling, markets
- - IEEE OAJPE paper: A Dynamic Retail Market Model To Investigate Sustainability of Retail Contracts in DERs-Penetrated Markets.
- - IEEE ROPEC paper: Mitigating the Energy Market Death Spiral through Long-Term Volume Firming Contracts.
- Pantelis Stefanakis, Sept. 2024 - present
- - Research keywords: power systems, dynamic modeling, machine learning
- - HICSS 2026 paper (3rd author): Repurposing Wildfire Smoke Data to Assess Impacts on Photovoltaic Power Generation.
- Ala'a Al-Sharif, Jan. 2024 - present,
- - Research keywords: distributoin systems, optimization, resiliency
- Vahid Hakimian, Aug. 2023 - present
- - Research keywords: distribution systems, optimization, transactive markets
- - arXiv paper (2nd author): Emission-Aware Operation of Electrical Energy Storage Systems.
- Shoaib Hussain (co-superviser), Aug. 2022 - present
- - Research keywords: distribution systems, optimization, machine learning
- - IEEE TSG paper: A Hybrid Imitation-Reinforcement Learning Framework for Optimal Operation of Soft Open Points in Unbalanced Distribution Networks.
- Debora Moreira (part-time), May 2025 - present
- - Research keywords: microgrids, dynamic modeling, stability
- Irtaza Sohail, May 2024 - present
- - Research keywords: solar PV, mathematical modeling, energy security
- - HICSS 2026 paper (2nd author): Repurposing Wildfire Smoke Data to Assess Impacts on Photovoltaic Power Generation.
- - IEEE Energy Sustainability Magazine paper (4th author): Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhancing Power Grid Resilience to ExtremeWeather Events.
- Masoud Hajian Foroushani, Jan. 2024 - present
- - Research keywords: networked microgrids, optimization, networked systems
- - IEEE EPEC 2025 paper: Stochastic Planning of a Campus Microgrid Considering Practical CHP and Market Constraints.
- Punsara Samarakkody, May 2023 - Aug. 2025
- - Research keywords: modeling, data-driven estimation, distribution systems
- - Thesis: Exploring Simplicity Limits in Electrical Distribution Systems Modeling for Voltage Sensitivity Estimation.
- Samuel Bakker (part-time, co-superviser), May 2023 - present
- - Research keywords: microgrids, optimization, forecasting
- Abhinav Ayri (part-time, co-superviser), Nov. 2022 - present
- - Research keywords: T&D coordination, optimization
- Delaram Bahreini Esfahani, May 2025 - August 2025
- - Research keywords: renewable energies, electric vehicles, mathematical modeling
- Yu Xiang Sun, May 2025 - August 2025
- - Research keywords: distribution systems, system identification
- Saud Amjad, May. 2024 - August 2024
- - Research keywords: solar PV, mathematical modeling, resiliency
- - HICSS 2026 paper (4th author): Repurposing Wildfire Smoke Data to Assess Impacts on Photovoltaic Power Generation.
- Hannah Zareipour, May 2024 - August 2024
- - Research keywords: electric vehivles, data mining, modeling
- Ali Ahmed, May. 2024 - June 2024
- - Research keywords: solar PV, software development, data acquisition
- Jailim Lugo, May. 2023 - August 2023
- - Research keywords: power systems, machine learning, software systems

