Professor Xin Zhang

School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Professor in Control and Power Systems

Electrical Machines and Drives Research Group

UKRI Future Leaders Fellow

Associate Editor - IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid (TSG)

xin.zhang1@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 25619

Amy Johnson Building

Full contact details

Professor Xin Zhang
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Amy Johnson Building
Portobello Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD

Profile

I am the Professor and Chair in Control and Power Systems at University of Sheffield. Currently, I hold the prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship 'Digitalisation of Electrical Power and Energy Systems Operation, MR/W011360/2, £1.5m', and the EPSRC New Investigator Award 'Grid flexibility through multiscale modelling and integration of power systems with electrified air transport, EP/W028905/1, £400k'.

My research experience covers power system operation and control, cyber-physical power systems, cybersecurity and resilience of power systems, real-time digital simulation, and grid integration with land-air transport electrification.

I lead the Control and Power Systems Laboratory (CAPS Lab) of University of Sheffield. At CAPS, we investigate digitalisation technologies that could potentially improve the monitoring and control of power grids in both cyber and physical aspects. We explore the advanced grid monitoring platform, state estimation techniques, cybersecurity strategy, contingency analysis, vulnerability assessment, and robust network control. At CAPS, we develop co-simulation platform for digital power grids, that enables the fundamental integration of cyber and physical simulators for the accurate, efficient and large-scale grid simulation. Our work involves the interfacing design for model-to-model integration of different complex networks, simulation synchronisation at various time steps, and advanced computing methods and algorithms to create a co-optimised analysis of cyber-physical power systems.

My industrial experience (2011-19) was gained from National Grid ESO as the GB Electricity System Operator, where I was professionally trained as a power system engineer in the real-time power system operation, mainly in the GB Electricity National Control Centre. My specific industrial expertise includes power system modelling and operational tools development for energy balancing and network control, to improve the security, resilience and economic operation of the GB power transmission systems.

Qualifications

PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2010), The University of Manchester
MSc (distinction) in Electrical Power Engineering (2007), The University of Manchester
B.Eng in Automation, Control Science and Engineering (2006), Shandong University

Research interests

My research is interdisciplinary across power, energy, and digital aspects of system engineering. My primary research interest is in power systems, with wider research interests of cyber-security, machine learning, digital twins and their applications in power & energy industry.

Broadly, I investigate net-zero energy networks as critical infrastructure, integrating transport, information and communications, renewable, storage and hydrogen. I address energy security and resilience challenges across Energy Theme.

Power system planning, operation and control (transmission, distribution, microgrid, renewables)
Cyber-physical system modelling and co-simulation (networked system control, power, energy, communications, transport)
Laboratory research platforms, hardware and facilities for simulation and control of power grid (real-time digital simulators, power electronics, intelligent computing)
Transport electrification (electric vehicle / aircraft charging, transport-energy nexus)

Publications

Journal articles

Du M, Zhang X & Zhao J (2025) High Risk Regional Load Attacks in Smart Grids. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 1-1.
Liu M, Zhang X, Zhao C & Deng R (2025) Matrix Coding Enabled Impact Mitigation against Primary False Data Injection Attacks in Cyber-Physical Microgrids. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 1-16.
Wang S, Zhang X, Du M & Pei W (2025) Two-stage Adaptive Robust Model for AC Network-Constrained Unit Commitment in Power Systems with Uncertain Wind Power. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 1-13.
Wang B, Zhang Z, Wang M, Liu M, Ye R, Deng R & Zhang X (2025) Small Signal Stability-Guaranteed Moving Target Defense Against Load Redistribution Attack On IoT-based Smart Grid. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 1-1.
Qiu D, Liu M, Zhang R, Luo T, Griffo A & Zhang X (2025) Cyber-Physical Real-Time Digital Simulation for Cybersecurity Analysis in Microgrids. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems, 1-12.
Zhou J, Xiang Y, Zhang X, Sun Z, Liu X & Liu J (2025) Optimal self-consumption scheduling of highway electric vehicle charging station based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning. Renewable Energy, 238. View this article in WRRO
Liu M, Zhang X, Zhu H, Zhang Z & Deng R (2024) Physics-Aware Watermarking Embedded in Unknown Input Observers for False Data Injection Attack Detection in Cyber-Physical Microgrids. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 1-1.
Du M, Zhang J, Gu C & Zhang X (2024) Resilience Improving Strategy for Power Systems With High Wind Power Penetration Against Uncertain Attacks. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 1-13.
Zhou Z, Zhang X, Zhang J & Taylor G (2024) Comprehensive review on dynamic state estimation techniques with cybersecurity applications. IET Smart Grid. View this article in WRRO
Xiang Y, Li L, Li R, Zhang X, Gu C, Zeng P, Pu T & Liu J (2024) Design flexible renewable energy penetrated power system to address long-run and short-run interactive inference. The Innovation Energy. View this article in WRRO
Chen Q, Bu S, Zhang X, Yi S & Wei Y (2024) Spectral Impedance-based Probabilistic Wideband Oscillatory Stability Analysis and Visualization. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 1-13.
Liu M, Zhang X, Zhang R, Zhou Z, Zhang Z & Deng R (2024) Detection-Triggered Recursive Impact Mitigation against Secondary False Data Injection Attacks in Cyber-Physical Microgrids. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 1-1.
Qu B, Wang Z, Shen B, Dong H & Zhang X (2024) Secure Particle Filtering With Paillier Encryption–Decryption Scheme: Application to Multi-Machine Power Grids. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 15(1), 863-873.
Qiu D, Zhang R, Zhou Z, Zhang J & Zhang X (2023) Virtual‐physical power flow method for cyber‐physical power system contingency and vulnerability assessment. IET Smart Grid. View this article in WRRO
Guo Z, Lai CS, Luk P & Zhang X (2023) Techno-economic assessment of wireless charging systems for airport electric shuttle buses. Journal of Energy Storage, 64, 107123-107123.
Guo Z, Li B, Taylor G & Zhang X (2023) Infrastructure planning for airport microgrid integrated with electric aircraft and parking lot electric vehicles. eTransportation, 17, 100257-100257.
Liu S, Cao Y, Ni Q, Xu L, Zhu Y & Zhang X (2023) Towards reservation-based E-mobility service via hybrid of V2V and G2V charging modes. Energy, 268, 126737-126737.
Zhang J, Roumeliotis I, Zhang X & Zolotas A (2023) Techno-economic-environmental evaluation of aircraft propulsion electrification: Surrogate-based multi-mission optimal design approach. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 175, 113168-113168.
Wei X, Xiang Y, Li J & Zhang X (2022) Self-Dispatch of Wind-Storage Integrated System: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 13(3), 1861-1864.
Hu Y, Bu S, Zhang X, Yung Chung C & Cai H (2022) Connection Between Damping Torque Analysis and Energy Flow Analysis in Damping Performance Evaluation for Electromechanical Oscillations in Power Systems. Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, 10(1), 19-28.
Guo Z, Zhang J, Zhang R & Zhang X (2022) Aviation-to-Grid Flexibility Through Electric Aircraft Charging. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 18(11), 8149-8159.
Zhang G, Zhang F, Wang X & Zhang X (2022) Fast Resilience Assessment of Distribution Systems With a Non-Simulation-Based Method. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 37(2), 1088-1099.
Xiang Y, Zhou L, Huang Y, Zhang X, Liu Y & Liu J (2021) Reactive coordinated optimal operation of distributed wind generation. Energy, 218, 119417-119417.
Xiang Y, Cai H, Liu J & Zhang X (2021) Techno-economic design of energy systems for airport electrification: A hydrogen-solar-storage integrated microgrid solution. Applied Energy, 283, 116374-116374.
Zhao P, Gu C, Cao Z, Hu Z, Zhang X, Chen X, Hernando-Gil I & Ding Y (2021) Economic-Effective Multi-Energy Management Considering Voltage Regulation Networked With Energy Hubs. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 36(3), 2503-2515.
Zhao P, Gu C, Xiang Y, Zhang X, Shen Y & Li S (2021) Reactive Power Optimization in Integrated Electricity and Gas Systems. IEEE Systems Journal, 15(2), 2744-2754.
Zhang G, Zhang F, Zhang X, Wu Q & Meng K (2020) A multi-disaster-scenario distributionally robust planning model for enhancing the resilience of distribution systems. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 122, 106161-106161.
Cui Y, Zhu J, Zoras S, Qiao Y & Zhang X (2020) Energy performance and life cycle cost assessments of a photovoltaic/thermal assisted heat pump system. Energy, 206, 118108-118108.
Zhang G, Zhang F, Zhang X, Wang Z, Meng K & Dong ZY (2020) Mobile Emergency Generator Planning in Resilient Distribution Systems: A Three-Stage Stochastic Model With Nonanticipativity Constraints. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 11(6), 4847-4859.
Zhang G, Zhang F, Zhang X, Meng K & Dong ZY (2020) Sequential Disaster Recovery Model for Distribution Systems With Co-Optimization of Maintenance and Restoration Crew Dispatch. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 11(6), 4700-4713.
Zhang G, Zhang F, Meng K, Zhang X & Dong ZY (2020) A Fixed-Point Based Distributed Method for Energy Flow Calculation in Multi-Energy Systems. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 11(4), 2567-2580.
Xiang Y, Hong J, Yang Z, Wang Y, Huang Y, Zhang X, Chai Y & Yao H (2020) Slope-Based Shape Cluster Method for Smart Metering Load Profiles. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 11(2), 1809-1811.
Xiang Y, Su Y, Wang Y, Liu J & Zhang X (2020) An Explicit Formula Based Estimation Method for Distribution Network Reliability. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 35(4), 2109-2112.
Yan X, Gu C, Zhang X & Li F (2020) Robust Optimization-Based Energy Storage Operation for System Congestion Management. IEEE Systems Journal, 14(2), 2694-2702.
Wang H, Gu C, Zhang X & Li F (2020) Optimal CHP Planning in Integrated Energy Systems Considering Network Charges. IEEE Systems Journal, 14(2), 2684-2693.
Hu S, Xiang Y, Liu J, Gu C, Zhang X, Tian Y, Liu Z & Xiong J (2019) Agent-Based Coordinated Operation Strategy for Active Distribution Network With Distributed Energy Resources. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 55(4), 3310-3320.
Xiang Y, Hu S, Liu Y, Zhang X & Liu J (2019) Electric vehicles in smart grid: a survey on charging load modelling. IET Smart Grid, 2(1), 25-33.
Cai D, Ding L, Zhang X & Terzija V (2019) Wide area inter‐area oscillation control system in a GB electric power system. The Journal of Engineering, 2019(16), 3294-3300.
HU S, XIANG Y, ZHANG X, LIU J, WANG R & HONG B (2019) Reactive power operability of distributed energy resources for voltage stability of distribution networks. Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, 7(4), 851-861.
Wang H, Gu C, Zhang X, Li F & Gu L (2018) Identifying the correlation between ambient temperature and gas consumption in a local energy system. CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems, 4(4), 479-486.
Zhang X, Bruce A, Rowland S, Terzija V & Bu S (2018) Modeling the development of low current arcs and arc resistance simulation. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 25(6), 2049-2057.
Yan X, Zhang X, Gu C & Li F (2018) Power to gas: addressing renewable curtailment by converting to hydrogen. Frontiers in Energy, 12(4), 560-568.
Liu J, Chai Y, Xiang Y, Zhang X, Gou S & Liu Y (2018) Clean energy consumption of power systems towards smart agriculture: roadmap, bottlenecks and technologies. CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems, 4(3), 273-282.
Xia SW, Bu SQ, Zhang X, Xu Y, Zhou B & Zhu JB (2018) Model reduction strategy of doubly-fed induction generator-based wind farms for power system small-signal rotor angle stability analysis. Applied Energy, 222, 608-620.
Gu C, Zhang X, Ma K, Yan J & Song Y (2018) Impact analysis of electricity supply unreliability to interdependent economic sectors by an economic-technical approach. Renewable Energy, 122, 108-117.
Zhang X, Zhu J, Bu S, Li Q, Terzija VJ & Rowland SM (2018) The Development of Low-Current Surface Arcs Under Clean and Salt-Fog Conditions in Electricity Distribution Networks. IEEE Access, 6, 15835-15843.
Bu SQ, Zhang X, Zhu JB & Liu X (2018) Comparison analysis on damping mechanisms of power systems with induction generator based wind power generation. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 97, 250-261.
Zhu J, Hu J, Hung W, Wang C, Zhang X, Bu S, Li Q, Urdal H & Booth CD (2018) Synthetic Inertia Control Strategy for Doubly Fed Induction Generator Wind Turbine Generators Using Lithium-Ion Supercapacitors. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 33(2), 773-783.
Bu SQ, Zhang X, Xia SW, Xu Y, Zhou B & Lu X (2017) Reducing model complexity of DFIG-based wind turbines to improve the efficiency of power system stability analysis. Energy Procedia, 142, 971-976.
Zhang X & Rowland SM (2012) Stability and energy of low current surface discharges on wet surfaces. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 19(6), 2055-2062.
Zhang X, Rowland SM & Terzija V (2010) Increased energy in stable dry-band arcs due to length compression. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 17(2), 473-480.
Rowland S, Kopsidas K & Zhang X (2010) Aging of Polyethylene ADSS Sheath by Low Currents. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 25(2), 947-952.
Wang C, Li J, Hu Y, Zhang X & Varga L () Load Frequency Control Based on Equivalent-input-disturbance Method for Isolated Small Hybrid Power System. DEStech Transactions on Environment, Energy and Earth Sciences(iceee).
() Chance-constrained optimal dispatch of integrated electricity and natural gas systems considering medium and long-term electricity transactions. CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems.
Liu J, Li J, Xiang Y, Zhang X & Jiang W () Optimal Sizing of Cascade Hydropower and Distributed Photovoltaic Included Virtual Power Plant Considering Investments and Complementary Benefits in Electricity Markets. Energies, 12(5), 952-952.
() Modeling agricultural load based on crop evapotranspiration and light integration for economic operation of greenhouse power system. CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems.

Chapters

Tan S, Xie P, Guan Y, Vasquez JC, Guerrero JM & Zhang X (2025) A Resilient Control Framework for Enhancing Cyber-Security in Microgrids, Lecture Notes in Computer Science (pp. 372-378). Springer Nature Switzerland

Conference proceedings papers

Qiu D, Liu M & Zhang X (2024) A Power-Communication Co-Simulation Platform for Real-Time Microgrid Cyber Security Analysis. 2024 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence of Things and Systems (AIoTSys) (pp 1-6), 17 October 2024 - 19 October 2024.
Zhou Z, Zhang J & Zhang X (2023) A Review on Defense Mechanism against the Denial of Service and False Data Injection in Cyber-Physical Power Systems. 2023 IEEE 6th International Electrical and Energy Conference (CIEEC), 12 May 2023 - 14 May 2023.
Li B, Guo Z, Yuan Y & Zhang X (2022) Study on the Impact of Aviation Electrification on Voltage Deviation of the GB Transmission System. 2022 57th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), 30 August 2022 - 2 September 2022.
Dabashi AH, Qiu D, Taylor G & Zhang X (2022) Determining Node Importance in Graph-Based Modelling of Cyber-Physical Power Systems. 2022 57th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), 30 August 2022 - 2 September 2022.
Qiu D, Zhang R, Dabashi AH, Zhou Z & Zhang X (2022) Cyber-physical contingency and vulnerability assessment using double power flow method. 12th IET International Conference on Advances in Power System Control, Operation and Management (APSCOM 2022)
Guo Z, Zhang X & Zhang R (2021) A MULTI-AGENT MICROGRID ENERGY MANAGEMENT SOLUTION FOR AIR TRANSPORT ELECTRIFICATION. The 10th Renewable Power Generation Conference (RPG 2021)
Duan L, Zhang X, Balta-Ozkan N & Etminan S (2021) DESIGN AND OPERATION OF SOLAR-HYDROGEN-STORAGE INTEGRATED ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION IN SMART CITY. CIRED 2021 - The 26th International Conference and Exhibition on Electricity Distribution
Xiang Y, Liu J, Hu S, Gu C, Zhang X, Tian Y, Xiong J & Liu Z (2018) Agent-based Operation Strategy for Active Distribution Network Considering Energy Storage and Flexible Load. 2018 IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting (IAS), 23 September 2018 - 27 September 2018.
Zhang X & Rowland SM (2011) Modelling of low current surface discharges using PSCAD. 2011 Electrical Insulation Conference (EIC)., 5 June 2011 - 8 June 2011.
Zhang X & Rowland SM (2010) Modelling of dry-band discharge events on insulation surfaces. 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation, 6 June 2010 - 9 June 2010.
Zhang X & Rowland SM (2009) Behaviour of low current discharges between water drops. 2009 IEEE Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena, 18 October 2009 - 21 October 2009.
Rowland SM, Zhang X & Kopsidas K (2008) Ageing of an ADSS Cable Sheath on a 132kV Overhead Transmission Line. 2008 Annual Report Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena, 26 October 2008 - 29 October 2008.
Rowland SM, Zhang X & Kopsidas K (2008) The Impact of System Voltage on the Ageing of All-Dielectric Self-Supporting Cables on Overhead Lines. Conference Record of the 2008 IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation, 9 June 2008 - 12 June 2008.

Grants

Royal Society International Exchanges Grant, “Multi-Agent Interactive Game and Network Co-Evolution for Shared Energy Storage Communities” £12,000, 2025-2027, IEC\NSFC\242449, as PI

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, “Digitalisation of Electrical Power and Energy Systems Operation (DEEPS)” £1,490,121, 2022-2026, MR/W011360/1, as PI

EPSRC New Investigator Award, “Aviation-to-Grid: Grid flexibility through multiscale modelling and integration of power systems with electrified air transport” £402,860, 2022-2025, EP/W028905/1, as PI

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), “Human Resilience in Cybersecurity of Future Energy Systems” £100,000, 2023-2027, RQ0000024688, as PI

UK Department for Transport, Transport-Technology Research and Innovation Grants, “Solar-Hydrogen-Storage Integrated Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Future Cities” £30,000, 2020-2021, T-TRIG 2020, as PI

EPSRC, Supergen Energy Networks Hub Flexible Fund, “GRid flexibility by Electrifying Energy Networks for Airport (GREEN Airport)” £50,000, 2019-2021, EP/S00078X/2, as PI

UK Department for Transport, Transport-Technology Research and Innovation Grants, “Aircraft to Grid (A2G): Hybrid and Smart Charging for Electric Aircraft” £30,000, 2019-2020, T-TRIG 2019, as PI

School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Professor Xin Zhang

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

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