Zocca's research focuses on understanding and improving the resilience of energy networks to extreme weather events. Due to climate change, extreme weather events—such as floods, wildfires, and storms — are expected to increase in frequency and severity. These events pose serious risks to power systems by causing cascading failures and blackouts. Given the simultaneous shift toward renewable energy sources, these networks are under additional strain.
In the project, Zocca will develop mathematical models that better capture the spatial and temporal effects of extreme weather on energy networks. In addition, he will design strategies to adaptively adjust the topology of power grids to minimize the risks of failures during extreme events.
Practical tools
'With this research project, I aim to redefine how power systems are planned and managed, ensuring they remain reliable even under extreme climate conditions', says Zocca. The project is expected to result in innovative ways to measure and analyze the robustness of energy networks against weather-driven disruptions, filling gaps in current network science methods. The aim is to develop practical tools that can guide real-world decision-making. Zocca and his colleagues will collaborate with industry partners to incorporate the research into digital tools like simulation platforms and dashboards for power grid operators.
Zocca: ‘Through strong industry partnerships, open science principles, and student training, the project is set to make lasting contributions to the energy sector in addressing the challenges of climate change. It will help policymakers plan climate-resilient infrastructure investments. Collaborations with industry stakeholders such as TenneT, RTE, and Artelys will ensure these solutions are practical and quickly implemented, bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications.
Adaptation to other fields
In addition, the project is expected to push the boundaries of network science, graph theory, and optimization. For example, the mathematical models and algorithms developed could be adapted to other fields, like transportation or financial systems. Furthermore, the research will help bridging the gap between detailed climate models and practical engineering applications, opening new directions for interdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating innovative mathematics with pressing real-world challenges, this project has the potential to inspire new ideas, foster collaboration across disciplines, and accelerate the global effort to tackle climate change.
NWO Talent Program
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) Talent Program gives researchers the freedom to conduct their own research based on creativity and passion. The NWO Talent Program stimulates innovation and curiosity. Free research contributes to and prepares us for tomorrow's society. This is why NWO is committed to a diversity of scientists, domains and backgrounds. Vidi, together with the Veni and Vici grants, is part of the NWO Talent Program. Researchers receive a maximum of 850,000 euros.
NWO selects researchers based on the scientific quality and innovative nature of the research proposal, the scientific and/or societal impact of the proposed project, and the quality of the researcher.