Dear Colleagues,

The formation of a sustainable energy system using digital and intelligent technology has become a global consensus and goal. On the one hand, in the last decade, the ambition of most countries to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has remarkably increased the likelihood of achieving the generation of renewable energy. Owing to the fact that most renewable energy sources are connected to power distribution systems via a grid-connected converter, the increase in renewable energy in power distribution systems allows for their flexible control, while challenging the operation of the power distribution systems. In addition, as a new participator, renewable energy changes the traditional dispatching code. The system operator must keep the necessary coordination between the renewable energy and load in order to realize a real-time power balance, and to keep the power distribution system operating in a security range.

On the other hand, the development of power electronics technologies has brought many novel applications, such as data centers, electric vehicles (EVs), and distributed energy storage, changing the traditional load mix in the power distribution system dominated by AC devices. In addition, the aggregator, which is integrated with source, consumer, energy storage, and flexible loads, shows up in power distribution systems. The existence of the aggregator in power distribution systems has also changed the operation mode of the electric market, pushing the system operator to determine appropriate adjustments to their operation mode.

In general, the various sources and loads in power distribution systems have shown the characteristics of nonlinearity and randomness, and strong coupling in power distribution systems is becoming increasingly more obvious. The traditional distribution network, power supply, and consumption mode are facing great challenges and unprecedented opportunities, such as the subversion and reconstruction of system topology, the cage replacement of hardware facilities, the upgrading of software control, and the transformation and upgrading of enterprises and industries. Power distribution systems must adopt novel technologies to effectively upgrade in order to meet the new operating requirements concerning high proportional renewable energy and flexible load integration.

This Special Issue aims to draw attention to research and review articles regarding the developmental trend analysis of power distribution systems, focusing on promoting theoretical and practical studies in the control and operation of power distribution systems and providing a convincing analysis of distribution system developments. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Low-voltage direct current supply and utilization system and MVDC application in power distribution systems;

2) The power quality analysis and model for power distribution systems;

3) Power electronic device applications in power distribution systems;

4) Active distribution systems and distributed energy resources;

5) Demand-side response in power distribution systems;

6) Renewable energies and energy storage coordination operation in power distribution systems;

7) Electric market optimization and models in power distribution systems;

8) The application of AI, machine learning, etc., in power distribution systems;

9) Prospect and analysis of power distribution system developments.

Dr. Zhao Ma
Dr. Haoran Zhao
Dr. Yongliang Liang
Dr. Kaiqi Sun
Guest Editors

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• active distribution systems and renewable energy resources (ADSs and DERs)
• demand-side response
• MVDC and LVDC system
• energy storage system application
• AI application and digital twin
• aggregator