Institute of Power Economics and Technology
Overview and Team Composition
The primary research directions of the Institute of Power Economics and Technology at the School of Electrical Engineering, Southeast University include power markets and regulation, demand-side management (DSM) and demand response (DR), integrated energy and power system planning, as well as power system energy conservation and economic operation. The team comprises three professors, five associate professors, one lecturer, one postdoctoral researcher, over 20 doctoral students, and over 60 master's students. The Director of the Institute is Professor Gao Ciwei.
Research Focus and Technical Applications
The Institute actively promotes scientific research in related fields, possessing distinct characteristics in the basic theory and application of demand response, virtual power plant (VPP) construction and operation, market-oriented trading of renewable energy, machine learning-based power market simulation and deduction, and energy internet business models. It has achieved successful applications in areas such as VPP operation and centralized control platform development, as well as power market simulation systems and deduction platform development. The Institute pioneered the concepts and architectures of "Energy Efficiency Power Plant (EPP) / Integrated Energy Efficiency Power Plant," "Smart Demand-Side Management," and "Automated Demand Response" (ADR) in China.
Landmark Industry Achievements
As a major technical support force, the Institute assisted the Jiangsu Energy Regulatory Office in formulating the Jiangsu electricity spot market rules, receiving high praise from the National Spot Market Task Force. It participated in theNational Unified Power Market Planning organized by the National Energy Administration (NEA) and comprehensively supported the research and construction of the Shanghai Virtual Power Plant, generating widespread domestic influence. Additionally, acting as the primary technical support for TC575, the Institute completed the formulation of the standard system in the VPP field. In 2022, it secured the establishment of the first batch of two national standards and two industry standards for VPPs, which have now been officially published.
Scientific Research Projects
The Institute has undertaken over 200 projects funded by domestic and international organizations, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the National Key R&D Program, the 863 Program, the U.S. Energy Foundation, the UK Prosperity Fund, national ministries, energy regulatory agencies, the two major grid corporations, the China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI), and the CSG Electric Power Research Institute. Key involvements include:
The first VPP pilot project of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)—the Shanghai Huangpu District VPP pilot project, and the broader Shanghai municipal VPP construction.
Exhibiting at the 2019 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), with coverage by CCTV'sMorning News (Zhao Wen Tian Xia).
Undertaking the State Grid's first sci-tech project on the simulation and deduction of bidding behaviors of spot market participants.
Undertaking the Guangxi Power Grid's first integrated energy project and engineering demonstration.
The 2025 international cooperation project under the National Key R&D Program:Key Technologies and Application Demonstration of Virtual Power Plants Based on Artificial Intelligence.
Academic Contributions and Awards
The Institute boasts fruitful academic achievements, having published over 500 papers in domestic and international journals and conferences such asIEEE Transactions and theProceedings of the CSEE. Notably:
Six articles were selected as F5000 top academic papers of outstanding Chinese sci-tech journals.
Nine papers have exceeded 200 external citations.
One paper was selected as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Domestic Academic Papers in China" (one of only seven in the electrical field).
The Institute has served as editor-in-chief for textbooks or published three monographs.
It holds over 80 authorized patents related to VPPs, integrated energy, and power markets.
It has participated in compiling 15 IEC international, national, and industry standards.
The team has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Gold Medal at the 2025 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, the Silver Medal at the 2023 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, the Second Prize of the 2023 Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award, the Second Prize of the 2022 Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Science and Technology) for Higher Education Institutions by the Ministry of Education, the Second Prize of the 2023 Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award, the Second Prize of the 2021 Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Award, and the Second Prize of the 2020 Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award, alongside various industry and grid-level honors.
Think Tank and Policy Influence
The Institute acts as a critical think tank for national and local industry economic policies, providing consulting services to the NDRC, the former State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), the NEA, and its branches. Notable advisory roles include:
Chief consultant for theSeries of Books on Power Demand-Side Resources Investigation edited by the NDRC's Bureau of Economic Operations Adjustment.
Lead compiler of the Demand-Side Management sub-volume in theElectric Power Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition): Distribution and Utilization Volume.
Authors ofPractical Technologies for Power Demand-Side Management andWorking Guide for Power Demand-Side Management.
Co-author of theBlue Book on the Development Planning of the National Unified Power Market (one of only two participating university teams apart from the two grid corporations and top five power generation groups).
In 2024, commissioned by the NEA to undertake a national energy regulation innovation project and participate in evaluating the Western Inner Mongolia (Mengxi) electricity spot market.
Team members serve on standardizing committees including the IEC PC118 Chinese National Committee, IEEE P2783, TC549 (Smart Grid User Interfaces), and TC575 (Power Demand Side Management). Furthermore, the Institute has been repeatedly invited to record online courses on the NDRC's DSM training platform, reaching an audience of over 50,000. It formulated DSM planning schemes for the Economic and Information Technology Commissions of Jiangsu and Tianjin, provided technical support for pilot cities like Suzhou and Foshan, and designed a power early warning and monitoring system currently utilized by the Jiangsu Energy Regulatory Office. Institute members also serve as experts on the inaugural Jiangsu Power Market Management Committee.
Forums and Academic Exchange
From 2016 to 2025, the Institute consistently co-hosted the Southeast Power Economics Forum alongside the China Energy Research Society, the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, and the IEEE PES Nanjing Chapter. Each forum attracts over 400 attendees. Closely tracking the national focus on power system reform and power market construction, the forum facilitates in-depth discussions among renowned experts, government officials, and industry professionals, establishing a high level of influence nationwide.
Server of Two-Way Interactive Load Dispatching System
Simulation Platform of Two-Way Interactive Load Dispatching System
Virtual Power Plant Centralized Control Platform
Chief Consultant for theSeries of Books on Power Demand-Side Resources Investigation Edited by the Bureau of Economic Operations Adjustment of the NDRC
Published Monograph:Analysis Methods of User Power Consumption Behavior in Smart Grids
Compiler of the Demand-Side Management Sub-Volume in theElectric Power Encyclopedia of China
Architecture of the Flexible and Interactive Smart Power Utilization System in Guangxi (National 863 Program)
Energy Management System Platform of the Power Building, Southeast University
Central Air-Conditioning Demonstration and Simulation System
Power Market Simulation and Training System
