Cesar A. Vega Penagos
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Cesar A. Vega Penagos has a total of 10 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Fabio Andrade
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Mayaguez, PR 00680, USA
5 shared publications - Adriana Carolina Luna
Engineering Faculty, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
4 shared publications - Jan L. Diaz
University of Puerto Rico
3 shared publications - Omar F. Rodriguez-Martinez
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Mayaguez, PR 00680, USA
3 shared publications - Oscar Daniel Garzon-Rivera
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Mayaguez, PR 00680, USA
2 shared publications - Carlos J. Delgado
Artificial Intelligence Imaging Group (AIIG), Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 8 May 2026
- Published by MDPI AG in Electronics
- Vol. 15 (10) , 2001
Machine Learning Strategies for Power Grid Resilience: A Functional and Bibliometric Review
Power grids are increasingly exposed to high-impact disturbances driven by extreme weather, cyber–physical threats, and the growing penetration of converter-based renewable resources. In this context, Machine Learning (ML) has emerged as a key enabler for resilience-oriented monitoring, prediction, control, and restoration. This paper presents a structured review of ML strategies for power-grid resilience applications using a four-phase resilience lens (Prevention and Improvement, Control and Mitigation, Restoration, and Cyber Resilience). The literature is organized through a functional taxonomy that includes fault diagnosis, event prediction, control and stability support, restoration, and cyber resilience. In addition to the qualitative synthesis, a quantitative analysis of a dataset of 13,647 peer-reviewed publications (2015–2026) is conducted to characterize research activity across resilience functions and implementation contexts. This analysis is used to illustrate the increasing adoption of machine learning approaches and to distinguish between simulation-based and real-world applications. The results indicate a methodological shift toward Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning for complex tasks, while federated and edge-based approaches are gaining attention for privacy preserving and real-time applications. These findings provide a structured view of current research directions and support the growing relevance of machine learning in resilience-oriented power system applications, offering a foundation for the development of intelligent and scalable cyber–physical energy systems.
- 8 May 2026
- Published by MDPI AG in Electronics
- Vol. 15 (10) , 2001
Open AccessMachine Learning Strategies for Power Grid Resilience: A Functional and Bibliometric Review
Power grids are increasingly exposed to high-impact disturbances driven by extreme weather, cyber–physical threats, and the growing penetration of converter-based renewable resources. In this context, Machine Learning (ML) has emerged as a key enabler for resilience-oriented monitoring, prediction, control, and restoration. This paper presents a structured review of ML strategies for power-grid resilience applications using a four-phase resilience lens (Prevention and Improvement, Control and Mitigation, Restoration, and Cyber Resilience). The literature is organized through a functional taxonomy that includes fault diagnosis, event prediction, control and stability support, restoration, and cyber resilience. In addition to the qualitative synthesis, a quantitative analysis of a dataset of 13,647 peer-reviewed publications (2015–2026) is conducted to characterize research activity across resilience functions and implementation contexts. This analysis is used to illustrate the increasing adoption of machine learning approaches and to distinguish between simulation-based and real-world applications. The results indicate a methodological shift toward Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning for complex tasks, while federated and edge-based approaches are gaining attention for privacy preserving and real-time applications. These findings provide a structured view of current research directions and support the growing relevance of machine learning in resilience-oriented power system applications, offering a foundation for the development of intelligent and scalable cyber–physical energy systems.
- Open Access
Metrics and Strategies Used in Power Grid Resilience
This article provides a comprehensive review of power grid resilience, including current metrics and definitions, as well as the procedures used to ensure and improve the resilience of a system. We also describe the different strategies used by users to ensure their own resilience. Additionally, this article highlights areas for future research and opportunities for the integration of emerging technologies such as computer vision. The main objective of this study was to explore the metrics and strategies used in power grids and for the users to improve and ensure resilience in case of events.
Open AccessMetrics and Strategies Used in Power Grid Resilience
This article provides a comprehensive review of power grid resilience, including current metrics and definitions, as well as the procedures used to ensure and improve the resilience of a system. We also describe the different strategies used by users to ensure their own resilience. Additionally, this article highlights areas for future research and opportunities for the integration of emerging technologies such as computer vision. The main objective of this study was to explore the metrics and strategies used in power grids and for the users to improve and ensure resilience in case of events.
- Open Access
Overview on Transactive Energy—Advantages and Challenges for Weak Power Grids
This document lists some challenges that researchers face when implementing transactive energy in weak power grids. These challenges often include high voltage fluctuations, limited generation, high line loadability, and unbalanced grids. The operation of transactive energy, as well as optimization techniques, are also considered, highlighting the performance and functionalities depending on power grid characteristics and market topology. Some of the most used optimization techniques for market clearing, considering the characteristics and topology, are presented as part of the research work.In addition, this paper compares different market topologies and highlights their advantages and challenges. Furthermore, this paper contains a brief description of the interoperability frameworks applied to a smart grid.As a result, it was determined that interoperability is necessary for the proper functioning of the grid. Moreover, all methods were found to be effective for their purpose from the user’s point of view as each technique has different characteristics relevant to the user and the grid. It was concluded that it is convenient to combine the optimization techniques to consider different constraints in the market clearing.
Open AccessOverview on Transactive Energy—Advantages and Challenges for Weak Power Grids
This document lists some challenges that researchers face when implementing transactive energy in weak power grids. These challenges often include high voltage fluctuations, limited generation, high line loadability, and unbalanced grids. The operation of transactive energy, as well as optimization techniques, are also considered, highlighting the performance and functionalities depending on power grid characteristics and market topology. Some of the most used optimization techniques for market clearing, considering the characteristics and topology, are presented as part of the research work.In addition, this paper compares different market topologies and highlights their advantages and challenges. Furthermore, this paper contains a brief description of the interoperability frameworks applied to a smart grid.As a result, it was determined that interoperability is necessary for the proper functioning of the grid. Moreover, all methods were found to be effective for their purpose from the user’s point of view as each technique has different characteristics relevant to the user and the grid. It was concluded that it is convenient to combine the optimization techniques to consider different constraints in the market clearing.
- Open Access
- 16 January 2023
- Published by MDPI AG in Applied Sciences
- Vol. 13 (2) , 1184
Modeling, Load Profile Validation, and Assessment of Solar-Rooftop Energy Potential for Low-and-Moderate-Income Communities in the Caribbean
This document presents the modeling of load profile consumption for Low-and-Moderate-Income (LMI) communities in the Caribbean Islands, as well as an assessment of the solar-rooftop energy potential. In this work, real data, together with synthetic and electricity bill data, were collected to validate and improve the load profile models. The solar-rooftop energy potential was obtained through a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) software called the PVWatts calculator, and mathematical analysis. The analysis of rooftop solar energy potential was conducted to enable the minimum size of solar power systems to fit the energy demand in the community. The results obtained allow estimation of the capacity of the energy system for each house or an entire community.
- 16 January 2023
- Published by MDPI AG in Applied Sciences
- Vol. 13 (2) , 1184
Open AccessModeling, Load Profile Validation, and Assessment of Solar-Rooftop Energy Potential for Low-and-Moderate-Income Communities in the Caribbean
This document presents the modeling of load profile consumption for Low-and-Moderate-Income (LMI) communities in the Caribbean Islands, as well as an assessment of the solar-rooftop energy potential. In this work, real data, together with synthetic and electricity bill data, were collected to validate and improve the load profile models. The solar-rooftop energy potential was obtained through a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) software called the PVWatts calculator, and mathematical analysis. The analysis of rooftop solar energy potential was conducted to enable the minimum size of solar power systems to fit the energy demand in the community. The results obtained allow estimation of the capacity of the energy system for each house or an entire community.
- Open Access
A Review of Distributed Secondary Control Architectures in Islanded-Inverter-Based Microgrids
The increasing energy demand, the shortage of energy resources, and the environmental challenges faced by conventional power-generation systems are some of the ongoing challenges faced by modern power systems. Therefore, many efforts have been made by the scientific community to develop comprehensive solutions to overcome these issues. For instance, current technological advances have allowed the integration of distributed generators into the power systems, promoting the use of microgrids to overcome these issues. However, the use of renewable distributed generators have introduced new challenges to the traditional control system schemes. To overcome these challenges, a hierarchical control approach has been proposed for distributed renewable sources. In other words, the control scheme have been divided into three hierarchical levels, primary, secondary, and tertiary, to overcome the new challenges present in modern power systems. Due to extensiveness of this topic, this overview is focused on secondary control systems, mainly for AC isolated microgrids. To improve the power quality of modern systems, several secondary control schemes have been proposed to overcome the well-known problem of frequency and voltage deviation. Some of these schemes have also introduced adequate active/reactive power sharing techniques to optimize the utilization of resources. Additionally, other secondary control schemes have also focused on reducing the communication load, to lower the network cost and adding robustness against communication problems. This article presents an insight of the different control techniques used to overcome power quality and communication problems. A comprehensive overview of distributed secondary control techniques for islanded microgrids is presented. In addition, the implementation of these techniques is explained in an orderly and sequential manner.
Open AccessA Review of Distributed Secondary Control Architectures in Islanded-Inverter-Based Microgrids
The increasing energy demand, the shortage of energy resources, and the environmental challenges faced by conventional power-generation systems are some of the ongoing challenges faced by modern power systems. Therefore, many efforts have been made by the scientific community to develop comprehensive solutions to overcome these issues. For instance, current technological advances have allowed the integration of distributed generators into the power systems, promoting the use of microgrids to overcome these issues. However, the use of renewable distributed generators have introduced new challenges to the traditional control system schemes. To overcome these challenges, a hierarchical control approach has been proposed for distributed renewable sources. In other words, the control scheme have been divided into three hierarchical levels, primary, secondary, and tertiary, to overcome the new challenges present in modern power systems. Due to extensiveness of this topic, this overview is focused on secondary control systems, mainly for AC isolated microgrids. To improve the power quality of modern systems, several secondary control schemes have been proposed to overcome the well-known problem of frequency and voltage deviation. Some of these schemes have also introduced adequate active/reactive power sharing techniques to optimize the utilization of resources. Additionally, other secondary control schemes have also focused on reducing the communication load, to lower the network cost and adding robustness against communication problems. This article presents an insight of the different control techniques used to overcome power quality and communication problems. A comprehensive overview of distributed secondary control techniques for islanded microgrids is presented. In addition, the implementation of these techniques is explained in an orderly and sequential manner.