UTA powers smarter microgrids with new converter tech

Liwei Zhou’s system improves microgrid accuracy, cutting costs while managing solar, batteries and EV charging

2025-06-24

(Press-News.org) The University of Texas at Arlington has awarded funding to research teams to launch new investigative projects. The Research Enhancement Program (REP), administered by UTA’s Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation, offers seed funding to investigators to help them test new ideas and explore new directions that could lead to future innovations and more competitive proposals for external funding from federal agencies and nonprofit foundations.

In our research series, we highlight six of these grants.

Researcher: Liwei Zhou, Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering

Project title: “Highly Accurate Micro-grid Multi-time-scale Control and Optimization Enabled by Programmable Physical Module”

What’s the idea?
Dr. Zhou is developing programmable power converters to improve the performance and reliability of microgrids—localized energy systems that can operate independently or alongside the main power grid. These systems often power places like campuses, hospitals or neighborhoods and can keep electricity flowing even when the main grid goes down. Zhou’s project introduces a new strategy for managing power converters at multiple time-scales—from rapid, split-second adjustments to longer-term energy planning. This approach is designed to make microgrids operate more precisely, helping operators make better decisions about how and when to use energy.

Why it matters:
As more distributed energy resources—such as solar panels, battery systems and backup generators—connect to the power grid, the microgrids are becoming essential for managing power at the local level. But controlling these systems with both precision and flexibility is increasingly complex. Dr. Zhou’s system improves the accuracy of microgrid operations while simplifying hardware and reducing costs.

Real-world use:
The power converter system Zhou is developing can connect and coordinate a wide range of distributed energy resources within a microgrid—such as EV chargers, rooftop solar panels, backup generators and battery storage. By managing how these systems work together, the technology enables a more accurate, cost-effective energy operation.

Next steps:
Dr. Zhou’s team has successfully developed a prototype power converter in the lab that works with both AC and DC energy sources. Next, they will focus on optimizing how the system handles power conversions across multiple time scales, aiming to improve the accuracy of microgrid modeling and performance.

In their words:
“The accurate microgrid modeling and operation are crucial for the distributed energy resource grid integration and power system stability.Our team is targeting cost-effective and highly accurate microgrid modeling technologies for more reliable grid operation.” — Zhou

Other Research Enhancement Program news:

May 27: Studying how bacteria grow to fight infections

May 29: Radar system aims to catch drone failures early

June 3: Improving PSA messaging to protect against online scams

June 5: Harnessing nature’s design to build tougher materials
June 10: Smarter evacuations with AI and digital twins

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.

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UTA powers smarter microgrids with new converter tech

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