Smarter solutions for a crowded grid
Sicheng Gong defended his PhD thesis at the Department of Electrical Engineering on June 12th.
The Netherlands stands at a critical juncture in its energy and mobility transition. As renewable energy installations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations queue up for access to the already stressed electricity grid, a silent crisis is unfolding: grid congestion. While expanding the grid is often seen as the only solution, new research suggests otherwise. The PhD research of Sicheng Gong reveals that optimizing the existing grid—through advanced computational techniques—can be a game-changing alternative. The conclusion is that full-scale grid expansion may not be the only, or even the best, path forward.
Despite significant investments in green energy, many renewable sources and EV charging facilities are stuck waiting for grid access. This delay is due to the limited power delivery capability of the current Dutch electricity networks. In his dissertation, Sicheng Gong defines this challenge as ‘Grid Feasibility,’ a term that captures the technical and operational limitations of integrating new energy units into the grid.
This issue is not unique to the Netherlands. It reflects a global obstacle that slows the shift toward sustainable energy and mobility systems. Addressing this challenge requires not only more infrastructure but also smarter ways to use the grid we already have.
A three-part challenge
Gong’s research breaks the grid feasibility challenge into three distinct but interconnected subproblems. The first is fundamental feasibility, which ensures that voltage levels and current loads stay within safe operating limits. The second is harmonic feasibility, which focuses on controlling voltage harmonics to meet regulatory standards such as EN50160. The third is imbalance feasibility, which addresses voltage imbalance in three-phase systems.
By approaching each of these challenges through an interdisciplinary lens, the study proposes a multi-layered strategy for maximizing grid capacity without resorting to expanding physical infrastructure.
Finding the feasibility margin
At the center of the thesis lies the concept of the feasibility margin, also called the ‘Hosting Capacity Region’. This margin defines a safe operating range in which new energy units can be dynamically connected without risking the stability of the grid.
To determine this margin, Gong developed an original algorithmic framework that focuses on three core properties. The margin must support high dimensionality to handle multiple variables, it must be accurate under different conditions, and it must be conservatively convex to ensure safe and reliable capacity allocations.
With these properties in place, dynamic capacity allocation becomes possible. This means grid operators can flexibly admit more energy units without compromising safety or performance.
New tools, better performance
One of the most innovative elements of this research is the use of computational geometry and symbolic computation—tools not traditionally associated with grid engineering. By modeling power flows as geometric regions, the research introduces efficient algorithms that significantly reduce the computational burden of feasibility analysis.
When addressing harmonic feasibility, the study replaces time-consuming time-domain simulations with symbolic computation techniques. These produce analytical current harmonic profiles quickly and accurately, making it feasible to assess grid compliance on a larger scale.
Balancing the grid
Voltage imbalance in three-phase systems is another complex challenge. Traditional metrics for measuring imbalance are mathematically difficult to include in optimization models. To simplify this, the thesis introduces a generalized imbalance index that omits phase information without losing essential insights. This simplification allows for more effective use of three-phase energy units, such as EV charging stations, to help balance the grid dynamically.
Smarter investment choices
The broader impact of this work goes beyond technical innovation. In a situation where grid expansion is costly, slow, and controversial, Gong’s research presents a timely and economical alternative. By making the most of existing infrastructure, Dutch grid operators can ease congestion and support the energy transition without waiting years for new physical upgrades.
These findings may influence the direction of future infrastructure investment in the Netherlands and beyond, as they suggest that smart management can be just as effective as building more grid capacity.
Rethinking grid strategy
Gong’s PhD research delivers a powerful message. The Dutch electricity grid holds more capacity than we currently realize. With the right combination of mathematical models, computational tools, and interdisciplinary thinking, we can unlock this hidden potential and relieve congestion—without defaulting to large-scale infrastructure projects.
As the demand for clean energy continues to rise, this approach offers a sustainable and scalable way forward for electricity networks across the globe.
This PhD research is funded by NWO and belongs to the NEON (New Energy and mobility Outlook of the Netherlands) project.
Title of PhD thesis: . Supervisors: Prof. Koen Kok, and Prof. Guus Pemen.