Engineering the Future: Nima Monshizadeh Naini of the University of Groningen on Control Theory and Cyber-Physical-Human Systems

Engineering the Future: Nima Monshizadeh Naini of the University of Groningen on Control Theory and Cyber-Physical-Human Systems

(IN BRIEF) Nima Monshizadeh Naini, associate professor at the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, is advancing the field of control theory with a focus on optimizing cyber-physical-human systems. His work aims to improve complex systems such as energy grids and urban mobility platforms by developing algorithms that enhance decision-making in decentralized, competitive environments. Monshizadeh’s research plays a key role in optimizing multi-commodity energy systems, bringing together physical infrastructure, digital intelligence, and human decision-making to achieve sustainable and efficient outcomes.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRONINGEN, 28-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Dynamical systems, which describe how things evolve over time, are crucial to understanding many aspects of modern technology. From the operation of electrical circuits to the spread of opinions on social media, these systems govern how processes change. However, the real challenge lies in guiding the behaviour of these systems to meet specific objectives, and this is where control theory comes into play.

“Control theory is about designing decisions that steer complex systems in the direction we want,” explains Nima Monshizadeh Naini, associate professor at the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG). “It bridges mathematics, engineering, and computation to address real-world challenges, from regulating energy flows to managing traffic and stabilizing robots.”

Monshizadeh’s research focuses on cyber-physical-human systems, which combine physical infrastructure, digital intelligence, and human decision-making. These interconnected systems, like smart grids or urban mobility platforms, feature a close relationship between physical and digital components, where human behaviour often influences outcomes significantly.

A major area of Monshizadeh’s research is in the control and optimization of multi-commodity energy systems, where electricity, heat, and hydrogen need to be produced, stored, and delivered in a coordinated manner. His work aims to optimize how these resources are scheduled to achieve goals related to technical efficiency, financial sustainability, or environmental responsibility.

“This isn’t just about machine operation,” Monshizadeh notes. “It’s about making decisions in systems where multiple independent actors, from energy providers to consumers, each pursue their own interests.” His primary objective is to enhance the performance, efficiency, and reliability of complex cyber-physical-human systems across various sectors, including energy, mobility, and infrastructure. “We design optimal algorithms that ensure these systems can reach balanced, smart outcomes, even in decentralized or competitive environments.”

Innovation in Engineering and Technology

Monshizadeh’s work is part of a broader effort at the University of Groningen (UG) to contribute solutions to pressing scientific and societal challenges. Every two weeks, UG Makers highlights a researcher who is bringing tangible innovations, from homemade measuring equipment for academic studies to products that could potentially transform daily life. This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to addressing global challenges through cutting-edge research and collaboration.

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Nima Monshizadeh Naini

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SOURCE: University of Groningen