Publication offers a practical guide for the integration of renewable energy sources into modern power grids  

January 29,2026, Dubai, UAE: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai has announced the launch of a major new academic textbook release offering a timely and practical guide to integrating renewable energy into modern power grids. Authored by Professor of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Abdalla Ismail Alzarooni, in collaboration with Dr. Haris M. Khalid, from the University of Dubai, the textbook, entitled, Advanced Grid Technologies: Grid Evolution, Smart Grid Fundamentals, and Renewable Energy Integration, Volume 1 by Elsevier, aims to support the UAE’s national strategies for sustainability, innovation, and clean energy.

Dr. Haris M. Khalid,  Associate Professor, University of Dubai, Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President, RIT Dubai, Prof. Abdalla Ismail Alzarooni, Professor, RIT Dubai

As the energy sector undergoes a profound shift, traditional electricity grids, once designed for centralised, fossil fuel–based power generation, are now required to accommodate renewable energy, electric vehicles, digital technologies, and intelligent control systems. The textbook addresses these changes by exploring how power grids are evolving into smarter, cleaner, and more flexible systems. It provides an outline of the history of the modern energy grid, followed by a comprehensive overview of renewable energy sources, the challenges they pose for typical energy grids, and the fundamentals of modern smart grid adaptations.

Published by Elsevier, the textbook represents a strong inter-university collaboration, with faculty from the two Dubai-based universities combining their research expertise to support the advancement of the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and ‘We The UAE 2031’ Vision. Through worked examples of numerical analysis and comparisons of recommended approaches, the text specifically addresses energy challenges faced in the region, particularly those relevant to utilities and infrastructure providers in the UAE, such as DEWA, SEWA, ADWEA and the RTA.

Speaking about the aims of the textbook, Prof. Alzarooni said, “At RIT Dubai, we focus on education and research that directly contribute to national priorities and support our strong industry partnerships. This textbook explores solutions that will help to drive the UAE’s vision for sustainable power, renewable energy integration, artificial intelligence adoption, and smart infrastructure development, while also preparing the next generation of engineers and decision-makers in the field.”

Key topics explored include energy storage systems, electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technologies, intelligent substations, and demand forecasting. The textbook delves into the complexities of context in balancing supply and demand, maintaining grid stability, managing data, and ensuring reliable electricity delivery. Readers are introduced to renewable energy sources and the practical challenges of integrating them into existing electricity networks.

Targeted at early-career engineers and professionals, as well as university students, the textbook publication marks the first instalment of a three-volume series. Volumes Two and Three, scheduled for release in 2027 and 2028, will build on this foundation and address advanced topics related to smart cities, cognitive power grids, and the future of energy systems.

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About RIT Dubai

Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world’s leading technological-focused universities with more than 185 years of history. RIT Dubai is now operating from phase one of its new $136 million state-of-the-art campus which provides interactive learning space set over 129,000 square meters.

RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business, psychology, media design, leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum provides students with relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program that helps students stand out in today’s highly competitive job market. RIT Dubai offers American degrees issued directly from the main campus in New York, and all of RIT’s programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students at RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.