Partner Spotlight: Strengthening energy resilience with University of Ljubljana

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the reliability of energy systems faces unprecedented challenges. Power networks and natural gas systems must withstand disruptions caused by floods, storms, and heatwaves while adapting to the growing demands of electrification and decarbonization. The University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering, through its Laboratory of Power Systems (LEES), plays a key role in addressing these issues by applying advanced modeling techniques and risk assessments to enhance infrastructure resilience.

LEES operates at the forefront of energy systems research, focusing on the operation, control, and planning of electric power networks. As a core partner in the Multi-hazard Infrastructure Risk Assessment for Climate Adaptation (MIRACA) project, the laboratory contributes its expertise to evaluating how different hazards impact the reliability of Europe’s energy infrastructure.

“The increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change poses a direct threat to the reliability of energy systems,” explains the LEES team. “MIRACA provides an opportunity for us to develop evidence-based risk assessments and adaptation strategies that strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.”

Advancing energy system modeling for climate resilience.

Within MIRACA, the University of Ljubljana leads efforts in modeling energy systems, with a particular focus on electric power networks. Their primary objectives include:

• Assessing the impact of extreme events on power system reliability and resilience.
• Extending analysis to natural gas systems to understand interdependencies between different energy networks.
• Developing strategies to enhance the robustness of energy infrastructure against climate-related hazards.

This work is essential for ensuring that decision-makers have the tools and insights needed to anticipate and mitigate risks in an evolving climate landscape.

Expertise in energy system optimization & risk analysis.

With decades of research experience and strong industry collaborations, LEES brings a wealth of knowledge to MIRACA. “Our team specializes in investment prioritization for power network planning, analyzing the impact of electric vehicle integration, and optimizing charging infrastructure” they note. The laboratory also has extensive experience conducting applied industrial projects, particularly within Slovenia and the Western Balkans, providing practical insights that complement MIRACA’s broader objectives.

By integrating real-world data and cutting-edge simulation techniques, LEES contributes to the development of a harmonized risk assessment framework that enhances Europe’s energy resilience.

Driving impact through collaboration.

For the University of Ljubljana, MIRACA represents an opportunity to collaborate with leading institutions across Europe to drive meaningful change. “The project fosters a multi-disciplinary approach to risk assessment, combining expertise from different fields to create comprehensive solutions for climate adaptation” the team highlights.

MIRACA’s expected outcomes include a decision-support toolkit for public authorities and infrastructure managers, featuring:

• A pan-European database on hazard exposure and infrastructure vulnerability.
• A systemic risk assessment framework that accounts for energy network interdependencies.
• An online interactive platform to support data-driven decision-making.

By contributing to these innovations, LEES helps ensure that Europe’s energy systems remain reliable, adaptable, and prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.

About the Laboratory of Power Systems.

Based at Slovenia’s premier institution for electrical engineering education and research, the Laboratory of Power Systems (LEES) is dedicated to advancing knowledge in energy system operation, planning, and control. Equipped with state-of-the-art technical and software tools, LEES conducts high-level simulations and analyses to support the sustainable transformation of energy infrastructure. Their work spans academic research and applied industrial projects, fostering innovative solutions that improve power system resilience.

Learn more about their work on the faculty’s official website, or LinkedIn and Instagram.

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MIRACA: Advancing climate-resilient energy infrastructure.

Led by a consortium of top researchers, engineers, and climate specialists, the Multi-hazard Infrastructure Risk Assessment for Climate Adaptation (MIRACA) project strengthens Europe’s critical infrastructure against climate change impacts. MIRACA equips public authorities with innovative decision-support tools—featuring technical guidance, a resilience-testing workbench, and an interactive online viewer—to assess risks, explore adaptation strategies, and close data gaps. Through open-access models and practical insights from five diverse European use cases, MIRACA empowers communities to implement cost-effective, resilient energy solutions across the continent.