Complexity needs clarity

Renewable energy, digitalisation, geopolitical uncertainty. Europe's energy systems are under increasing pressure. What was once manageable has become a highly complex interplay of technology, infrastructure and societal responsibility.

At TU Wien, research focuses precisely on these questions: How can energy systems be conceived, planned, and designed in a way that ensures stability, efficiency, and sustainability in the long term?

In her essay, Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Albana Ilo explains why new ways of thinking are needed and why a holistic perspective on power grids is essential for successfully shaping the energy transition.

FRACTAL-BASED HOLISTIC ARCHITECTURE TO PROMOTE ENERGY TRANSITION

Climatic and geopolitical crises are driving the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid, supported by regulatory measures, thereby advancing the energy transition in Europe. The share of volatile renewable energies, such as wind and solar, connected to transmission and distribution grids, as well as rooftop photovoltaics at the customer level, is increasing rapidly. These developments pose significant challenges for the operation of the electricity grid, as further highlighted by a series of large-scale power outages in 2024 and 2025, including the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula on April 28, 2025. Investigating the current challenging behaviours of power systems and coupling them with other energy systems, such as gas, heat, etc. to achieve a net-zero energy system in Europe requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects and causalities.

The world's largest electromagnetic machines which humans have ever built, often spanning an entire continent, delivered approximately 25,721 TWh (IEA, 2019) of electricity via power grids in 2017. It is the power system, an interconnected structure of electricity production facilities, wires, transformers and more, that keeps the lights on for homes, buildings, streets, offices, factories, and other locations. Power systems are characterised by strong physical causalities that should be considered to guarantee a reliable and secure operation. A holistic approach, concerned with integrated wholes or complete systems rather than analysing or treating separate parts, is indispensable. However, due to their size, it is impossible to build power systems in laboratories, and experiments involving physical systems are prohibited by law in almost every country. These features make power systems unique in today's technological landscape, and their holistic investigation very complex.

From complexity to simplicity is the motto for solving multifaceted issues. Careful observation of nature made it possible to discover fractals, similar patterns, and shapes that nature repeats in ever-smaller sizes. Fractal analysis is one of the most advanced and modern methods used today to expand knowledge about the structures and functions of complex systems and objects in nature, medicine, engineering and other fields. This innovative method is applied to understand and develop the holistic architecture LINK. Fundamental analyses of the structure of power grids, comprising transmission and distribution grids, as well as customer plants, have shown that their structure exhibits a fractal geometry.

A holistic architecture transforms experts' perspectives on a power system and their perceptions of what might be possible. This new perspective can help them perceive the power system in more expansive ways and create increasingly more flexibility and opportunities to decarbonise the energy systems.

3 questions for Prof. Albana Ilo

What does staying grounded mean to you personally at a time when energy systems, technologies, and working environments are all changing at once?

Being grounded means possessing the self-confidence that stems from a solid understanding of electrical engineering and being aware of the importance of society's most critical infrastructure. It helps us remain focused on solutions that require minimal energy resources, are affordable and technically mature, without being swayed by the dataism trend.

Which skills and ways of thinking do students need today to contribute to sustainable energy systems without losing perspective?

The foundation for every electrical engineering student is primarily logical and analytical thinking, followed by systems thinking. For power engineers, holistic and critical thinking are fundamental to comprehensive solutions for the energy transition. Creative thinking is essential in our time for developing new ideas and finding innovative solutions.

What advice would you give students who feel that everything is becoming too complex, uncertain, or overwhelming at the beginning of their careers?

Learn thoroughly without using AI to further develop your own natural intelligence. Learn patiently and systematically, and persevere. Try to discover the magic of science and work with passion. Then complexity will be dissolved and replaced by simplicity, evoking a wealth of emotions.