On October 8, 2025, a seminar titled “Data-Driven Optimization Approaches for Energy Systems Planning and Operation” was presented by Dr. Fahad Al-Ismail.

The session framed today’s power grids as increasingly complex ecosystems—shaped by variable renewables, fast-growing storage, and flexible demand—where traditional, rule-based planning can struggle. Dr. Al-Ismail outlined how data-driven methods fuse forecasting and analytics with advanced optimization models to make better, faster decisions across planning and real-time operations.

He then surveyed recent approaches—such as learning-enhanced unit commitment and dispatch, as well as stochastic and robust formulations for renewable uncertainty—that enhance reliability, improve efficiency, and support sustainability goals. Practical considerations, including data quality, model interpretability, and integration with existing control and market systems, were discussed alongside case studies pointing to scalable pathways for next-generation, low-carbon energy systems.

The following are the highlights of the event: