Energy Communities Fundamentals, Technologies, and Emerging Trends

Dr. Carlos Cruz de la Torre is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics at the University of Alcalá, in Spain. His research interests include electronic engineering, embedded systems, Internet of Things, demand response, energy communities, smart communities, renewable-energy integration, energy efficiency, sensors, and data-driven approaches for sustainable energy applications. He has contributed to peer-reviewed publications on cooperative demand response, prosumer integration, smart communities targeting renewables, energy-efficient communities, and optimization for energy communities.

Marco Tostado-Véliz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Jaén, Spain. He received a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering (with Hons.) in 2016 and Masters degree in 2017, both from the University of Seville, Spain, and obtained his PhD degree in 2020 from the University of Jaén, Spain. His primary research interests include smart grids, numerical methods for power system analysis, optimization of energy communities, multi-energy systems modelling, and computing tools for home energy management systems.

Dr. Paul Arévalo-Cordero is a full-time Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, at the University of Cuenca, in Ecuador. He received his Ph.D. in Advances in Materials Engineering and Sustainable Energies in 2021, from the University of Jaén, Spain, where he also served as a postdoctoral researcher until 2024. His work focused on renewable energy systems, sustainable public transport solutions, and energy-transition technologies. His professional experience also includes operational supervision at Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC SUR) and engineering roles at SNC-Lavalin International. Dr. Arévalo-Cordero bridges academic research and industrial applications through his combined expertise in energy infrastructure operations and sustainable energy technologies. His research interests include renewable energy integration, smart grid technologies, sustainable transportation systems, advanced control strategies for power systems, numerical methods, optimization, and predictive approaches for modern energy systems.

Francisco Jurado has been a Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Jaén, Spain, since 1985. His current research interests include power systems, modeling, and renewable energy. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE.