Energy Routing and Management Systems
Summary
Energy routing and management systems encompass a suite of power‐electronic devices, control algorithms and communication protocols designed to orchestrate the flow of electricity in decentralised energy networks. At their core, energy routers serve as intelligent interfaces that link distributed energy resources, storage units and loads, enabling bidirectional power transfer, seamless transition between grid-connected and islanded modes, and dynamic balancing of supply and demand. These systems employ multiport converters, advanced control strategies and real-time data analytics to optimise energy distribution, minimise losses and accommodate variable renewable generation. By integrating demand-side management, peer-to-peer energy exchange and hierarchical supervisory control, energy routing frameworks enhance grid resilience, improve economic efficiency and support the rapid uptake of prosumer technologies. Their global significance lies in facilitating the transition towards low-carbon, adaptive energy infrastructures that can respond to fluctuating generation patterns, evolving market signals and emerging applications such as electric vehicles and smart homes.
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Energy Routing and Management Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in energy routing and management systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Energy router: A power-electronic interface that manages bidirectional energy flows between multiple ports, such as distributed generators, storage and loads.
Multiport converter: An electronic device incorporating several input and output ports to enable simultaneous AC/DC conversion and energy routing.
Microgrid: A localized grouping of distributed energy resources, storage and loads that can operate autonomously or in coordination with the main grid.
Islanded mode: The operational state in which a microgrid or energy subnet functions independently of the main grid.
Droop control: A decentralised control strategy that adjusts power sharing among generators based on frequency or voltage deviations.
Prosumer: An end user who both produces and consumes energy, typically via rooftop photovoltaics or small-scale generators.
References
- An AC–DC Hybrid Multi-Port Energy Router With Coordinated Control and Energy Management Strategies. IEEE Access (2019).
- Interconnecting Microgrids via the Energy Router with Smart Energy Management. Energies (2017).
- Enabling the Smart and Flexible Management of Energy Prosumers via the Energy Router With Parallel Operation Mode. IEEE Access (2020).
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