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Distributed Resources, Networks and Flexibility

The Distributed Resources, Networks and Flexibility research unit is an interdisciplinary group at the IIT which is focused on the analysis and development of models for the simulation and optimization of future electricity networks. These networks will enable us to ensure the viability of the model of sustainable energy required by society in the 21st century. This model is characterised by the centrality of the role of renewable energies with distributed characteristics, by a flexible energy demand and the capacity to meet that demand, and by a quality of service which meets the expectations of the digital society. We offer an important range of activities, making a significant research contribution both nationally and internationally: Externally financed research and development projects which include European projects, national CENIT projects, and a number of projects commissioned by private institutions and companies. A contribution to the scientific knowledge base in the form of PhDs, articles in the most important journals in this field and participation in international conferences. The development of our own software for the simulation of large networks. This software has a range of applications and can be sold under licence. The most relevant is the Reference Network Model, designed for the planning of large scale distribution networks and for assessing the impact of Distributed Energy Resources. An important teaching role in the PhD and Postgraduate programme in Electrical Engineering in the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería (ICAI) - including the Master’s Degree in the Electricity Sector and a close collaboration with the training courses of the EES-UETP.

Research topics

  • Universal energy access and electrification
  • Energy communities and aggregators
  • Network regulation and tariff design with large shares of DER
  • Flexibility and demand response
  • AI and cybersecurity for smart grids
  • Renewable energy integration
  • Integration of energy storage systems
  • Smart grid data modelling (CIM, 61850, other ontologies)
  • Sustainable mobility and electric vehicles
  • Planning and operation of networks and DER
  • Data exchange protocols
  • Representative electricity networks and applications
  • Smart grids
  • Regulation of energy network infrastructures: distribution
  • Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Publications

Education

Coordinator

Matteo Troncia is Research Assistant Professor at the Institute for Research in Technology (IIT) at the Engineering School (ICAI) of the Comillas Pontifical University. Since September 2025, he has been Coordinator of the research area on Distributed Resources, Networks and Flexibility. In 2021, he received the PhD degree (Doctor Europaeus) in industrial engineering from the University of Cagliari (Italy) with a thesis on the methodologies for appraising smart grid projects in which flexibility competes with grid expansion. He is an electrical engineer; he received his Master’s Degree (cum laude) in 2017 from the University of Cagliari. During his PhD, Matteo has been part of the Power System group of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (DIEE). In 2014, he was a student intern at the Department of Energy Management and Power System Operation (e²n) at the University of Kassel (Germany). In 2020, Matteo joined the Smart and Sustainable Grids research area of IIT as postdoctoral researcher. His activity mainly concerns research projects regarding power system decarbonisation and electricity markets for integrating renewables and distributed energy resources in the electricity sector. From January 2021, he is operating agent of ISGAN Academy of the International Smart Grid Action Network, which is a Technology Collaboration Programme supported by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Members

Visiting Student

Bindu,
Shilpa
Research Associate Professor

Cossent Arín,
Rafael
Assistant Professor

Dueñas Martínez,
Pablo
Visiting Researcher

Eisman Valdés,
Julio
Visiting Professor

García Muñoz,
Fernando
Visiting Researcher

Gerres,
Timo
Visiting Student

Llamera Villa,
Lucía
Associate Professor

López López,
Gregorio
Associate Professor

Matanza Domingo,
Javier
Research Associate Professor

Mateo Domingo,
Carlos
Visiting Student

Nasrollahei,
Navid
Visiting Student

Oliva Zurdo,
Carlos
Senior Research Associate Professor

Olmos Camacho,
Luis
Visiting Researcher

Picard Lopez,
Jose Luis
Visiting Researcher

Sánchez Jacob,
Eduardo
Senior Associate Professor

Sánchez Miralles,
Álvaro
Research Assistant

Scarfiello,
Donatello
Postdoctoral Researcher

Solat,
Sajjad
Assistant Professor

Wuebben,
Daniel Lewis
Visiting Researcher

Ziegler,
David Ulrich