Restoration in Inverter-Dominated Distribution Systems

The transition toward inverter-dominated distribution systems introduces new restoration challenges that cannot be effectively addressed using traditional heuristic or rule-based approaches. The lack of inertia, limited fault current, and high controllability of inverter-based resources demand systematic, optimization-driven decision-making frameworks. Recent advances in optimization, computational intelligence, and data-driven methods provide powerful tools to design scalable, adaptive, and resilient restoration strategies. This special issue aims to consolidate cutting-edge optimization methodologies for restoration in inverter-dominated distribution systems.

This special issue focuses on optimization-based frameworks for post-outage restoration in inverter-dominated distribution systems with high penetrations of inverter-based resources such as photovoltaic generation, battery energy storage, and inverter-interfaced microgrids. Emphasis is placed on mathematical formulations, algorithmic developments, and computationally efficient solutions that explicitly account for inverter dynamics, control limits, and network constraints.

The scope includes optimization models for restoration sequencing, load pickup, and network reconfiguration under weak-grid conditions. Contributions addressing mixed-integer, nonlinear, stochastic, and robust optimization formulations that incorporate inverter operational constraints, voltage–frequency limits, and power electronic control capabilities are particularly encouraged. Studies that compare centralized, distributed, and hierarchical optimization architectures are also within scope.

A central theme is the integration of inverter control strategies within optimization-based restoration. Relevant topics include optimal deployment of grid-forming inverters, coordination of multiple inverter-based resources, and optimal transitions between grid-following and grid-forming modes during different restoration stages.

The special issue also covers optimization-driven microgrid and distributed energy resource participation in restoration. This includes optimal island formation, black-start resource selection, energy management of storage systems during restoration, and coordination among multiple microgrids. Multi-objective optimization approaches balancing restoration time, resilience, operational cost, and system stability are particularly relevant.

Additionally, the scope welcomes optimization approaches that address uncertainty and dynamics, including stochastic programming, chance-constrained optimization, and model predictive control for real-time restoration. Data-driven, and learning-assisted optimization are encouraged, provided they demonstrate interpretability and operational relevance.

Article types and fees

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• Data Report
• Editorial
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• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Inverter-dominated distribution systems, Optimization-based restoration, Inverter-based resources, Stochastic optimization, Microgrid restoration Robust

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.