SynGRID Enables Research Exchange for FERIT PhD Student

In February and March 2025, Marina Dubravac, a PhD student and assistant at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek (FERIT), completed a five-week research exchange at the Institute for Innovation and Development of the University of Ljubljana (IRI UL).

Although her stay was formally supported by the HRZZ Outgoing Mobility Programme, the exchange was made possible and encouraged through the SynGRID project, which connects FERIT and IRI UL. This collaboration continues to foster cross-institutional cooperation, support young researchers, and strengthen knowledge exchange within the field of smart energy systems.

During her time at IRI UL, Marina focused on scientific activities related to the optimization of the planning and operation of distribution networks with a high share of active customers. This area of research is also the focus of her PhD work and addresses one of the most relevant challenges in the energy transition. With the growing integration of distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and the development of smart grid technologies, active customers, those who both consume and produce energy, are changing how distribution networks are managed. Marina’s research aims to help optimize this complexity to enhance system flexibility and efficiency.

Her exchange also offered valuable exposure to best practices, direct collaboration with researchers at IRI UL, and the opportunity to strengthen professional networks, all core goals of the SynGRID project.