Federal Grant Award Summary

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) CAREER award of $533,119 to Lehigh University, obligated on April 15, 2026, supports research aimed at developing geometry-based control methodologies for distributed energy resources (DERs) in smart grid applications. The project delivers advanced control algorithms and predictive models that leverage nonlinear manifold learning to regulate voltage, frequency, and power sharing in microgrids operating independently or connected to the main electrical grid. Rather than relying on traditional model-based approaches, the research extracts governing dynamics directly from time-series measurements and constructs reduced-order representations in learned latent spaces to enable scalable, real-time control strategies for solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and small generators increasingly deployed across the nation's power infrastructure.

The five-year research initiative, extending through March 31, 2031, produces intellectual contributions advancing fundamental knowledge at the intersection of nonlinear dynamics, machine learning, uncertainty quantification, and distributed control. Beyond technical research outputs, the award generates broader impact through enhanced grid reliability and energy resilience, integration of research findings into undergraduate and graduate engineering curricula, workforce development opportunities including industry internships, and preparation of U.S. students for leadership in modernizing electrified communities. The research will be performed at Lehigh University's Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania location.