Energy systems & control lab
Research infrastructure
Khalifa University’s Energy Systems and Control Optimization (ESCO) Lab supports simulation and experimental research across energy and power systems. Real-time simulators, power amplifiers, and grid emulators reproduce controlled grid conditions for controller development and experimental validation.
Lab manager Muhammad Bakr Abdelghany
Inside the ESCO Lab
Electric-vehicle prototype 
RTDS and dSPACE control 
Power amplifier and grid emulator
Power-system research
The facility connects real-time simulation with physical energy hardware so that control, protection, smart-grid, and cyber-security methods can be evaluated under repeatable operating conditions before wider deployment.
Research areas
- Power-system analysis
- Power-system protection
- Real-time digital simulation
- Smart grid
- Photovoltaic systems
- Energy-storage systems
- Fuel cell and hydrogen
- Electric machines and variable-frequency drives
- Electric vehicles
Lab capabilities
Real-time testing
RTDS and dSPACE controllers support real-time controller testing.
Energy hardware
Workbenches support photovoltaic systems, battery storage, fuel cells, and electric-vehicle chargers at power levels up to several tens of kilowatts.
Protection and smart grids
The facility supports SCADA, relay testing, smart-grid studies, and cyber-security scenarios.
Analysis and implementation
The inventory includes PSIM, ETAP, ANSYS, PSCAD, and DSPACE.
Industry support
Support includes energy utilization, recovery and efficiency; renewable-system sizing and siting; SCADA and smart-grid consultancy; and plug-in hybrid grid studies.