Press release | Research

Smart and more resilient electricity grids: million-euro funding boosts research for international impact

Published on 26.3.2026

Tampere University

Kuvituskuva.Photo: STEK / Shutterstock

A four-year research project aimed at improving the reliability and resilience of electricity grids has received €1 million in funding from STEK ry. The joint initiative by Tampere University and the University of Vaasa will develop a smart comprehensive architecture that integrates real-time situational awareness, distributed control, and virtualized protection automation to strengthen Finland’s electricity system. The goal is to enhance the ability of the energy system to withstand and recover from disruptions such as storms and cyber threats.

Although Finland’s electricity distribution reliability is among the best in the world, society’s dependence on electricity continues to grow. In recent years, power grids have been challenged by storms, equipment failures and cyber threats targeting energy infrastructure. The Virtualized Technology Assisted Situational Awareness and Multilayer Resilient Control for Microgrids (ViSMART_MG) project, led by Tampere University, will develop innovative tools and operating models to ensure electricity delivery even under the most demanding conditions.

The project is funded by Promotion Centre for Electrical Engineering and Energy Efficiency STEK in a thematic call addressing ways to make the electricity grid more resilient to disruptions, support the reliable use of renewable energy, and promote new forms of cooperation to strengthen the overall safety and flexibility of Finland’s power system.

Digital twins and software-based protection bring flexibility to the grid

The researchers will develop distributed control and virtualised protection automation using digital twins.

Distributed control and intelligent algorithms ensure that different parts of the electricity system can automatically balance and protect themselves in the event of equipment failures or cyberattacks. Software-based, virtualized protection systems add flexibility and speed alongside traditional protection devices.

Together, these solutions form the foundation for a new kind of resilient electricity grid that can adapt more effectively to changes and disturbances.

“Our solutions benefit many societal actors, from distribution system operators who gain better tools to prevent outages, to energy-system operators and service providers who can offer more reliable and cost-effective electricity to customers,” says the project leader, Assistant Professor Hamed Badihi from Tampere University.

Cross-sector collaboration and real-world pilots drive practical impact

The project emphasizes cross-sector collaboration and real-world testing. The consortium works closely with distribution system operators, industrial stakeholders, and public authorities. At the same time, the project also lays the foundation for a new ecosystem of resilience technologies, which is expected to expand and attract additional funding by the third year.

As the project progresses, new partners will be brought in for pilot deployments. This ensures that the project’s results are implemented in practice and support updates to industry standards, regulation, and business models.

From sustainable grid infrastructure to export product

Solutions resulting from research and development work, such as modular and scalable technologies, may attract interest from international grid operators and technology providers.

“This project brings together technological ambition and concrete solutions to strengthen the electricity grid’s resilience and ability to recover from disruptions. Its objectives align fully with STEK’s mission: to accelerate the energy transition through impactful action. The added value generated by the project has the potential to evolve into new innovations and business opportunities within the sector. These are precisely the kinds of high-impact initiatives STEK is committed to supporting to ensure the energy transition advances sustainably and effectively,” says Tapio Koivu, CEO at STEK.

The results of the project will strengthen the energy sector’s ability to integrate distributed and renewable energy sources into the electricity grid safely and efficiently, laying the foundation for a more agile and sustainable electricity infrastructure – both in Finland and internationally.

Project group

Hamed Badihi is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Automation Technology and Dependable Systems at Tampere University and Head of the Dependability and Automation Research in Cyber-Physical Systems (DARES) group. He specializes in condition monitoring, fault-tolerant and attack-resilient control, and secure automation for critical energy and industrial infrastructures. He has extensive international research and teaching experience in Canada, China, and Finland.

Azwirman Gusrialdi is a tenure-track Associate Professor at Tampere University’s Automation and Mechanical Engineering Unit, where he leads the Intelligent Networked Systems (IINES) group. His research focuses on designing scalable control and optimization algorithms that ensure the optimal, resilient, and safe operation of cyber-physical systems, with main applications to power systems and smart mobility.

Mike Mekkanen is a Senior Researcher at the University of Vaasa with over 30 years of experience in electrical engineering, particularly in IEC 61850-based protection and automation systems. He specializes in cybersecurity for cyber-physical systems and digital twins in critical infrastructure.