Vincenzo LOIA | Smart Grids and Smart Cities Laboratory (SMARTLab)

Brief Description:
SMARTLab is a research laboratory dedicated to advancing innovation and fostering research in areas such as Smart Cities, Smart Grids, Cyber-Physical Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Energy Management, Safety, Security, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing. The lab supports students by teaching innovative methods for managing and planning smart cities and smart grids, with a focus on addressing integration and security challenges in interconnected electrical and IT infrastructures.

Key Focus Areas:
SMARTLab’s research spans multiple disciplines central to the development of smart cities and grids. Key areas of focus include:

• Planning and management of smart grids and microgrids
• Industrial informatics for smart cities
• Power electronics for smart grids
• Renewable energy generation systems
• Energy management systems and local energy markets
• Smart houses, smart buildings, and building automation
• IoT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and blockchain integration
• Artificial intelligence, fuzzy systems, and neural networks for energy systems
• Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
• Big Data analytics
• Quantum computing applications in energy management
• Safety, security, and data privacy in urban infrastructures

Unique Elements:
SMARTLab distinguishes itself regionally through its interdisciplinary approach, combining cutting-edge research in Cyber-Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing. The lab's focus on integrating these emerging technologies with energy systems creates innovative solutions to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and security of smart infrastructures. It is among the few facilities that address not only the technological but also the critical aspects of data privacy, safety, and renewable energy integration, positioning itself as a leader in smart city and smart grid research.