I think that this depends on a country. European researchers put too much effort into description of spot markets and similar issues.

It was clear that market is more complex and physical principles have to be taken into account for its modelling. We need to balance electrical demand and supply in any point of time since it cannot be stored. Random supply from wind energy puts a pressure on that. There are also losses in transmission system that have to be taken into account. There is under-capacity for cross-border trade and thus quotas for trade emerge - a perturbation to free market principle. If you want to know my opinion, can read the attached paper. It is about a potential organization of electricity market where transmission losses are taken into account for pricing.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272176629_Competition_in_Electric_Energy_Network

But in reality the development went a different path, and I do not think that it is efficient. Yes, we have to balance and to face random shocks. Before system regulator was doing that. Now sequence of markets provide too high price spikes, and a lot of speculative activity emerges - without much gains for efficient balance. Just recall the story of Californian crisis 2000.

Conference Paper Competition in Electric Energy Network *

In the era of power crisis the most important thing how to store energy in an effective way. 

Hello,

From my point of view, Demand response and Energy storage can be included within design strategy for microgrids, as they are likely to have some information about them included. therefore, grid and Operation control looks as the most important (due to the fact it is the widest) concept of the three you are showing.

I hope this helps!

From my point of view, I think that Micro Grid Protection and control is the most important topic.

Hello, I think it's a very good question, we all need to achieve initiate an investigation in an area that has high impact. From my point of view I think that all subjects are good and cover a broad term that can be exploited, however, my suggestion is that any issues can be addressed from the perspective of smart grids and in that way you would achieve update the topic and research.

From my point of view, Electrical power generation in the world is controlled by combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil & gas), nuclear and hydro power where the power is delivered over long distances to consumers. Conversely, microgrid technology is an alternative technique for requirement of the future power system. and a great number of them will be installed at consumer’s sites in the future. So i hope MICROGRID  can be a very good topic for your work.

Currently, the major research trends in electrical power engineering include handling of issues related to instantaneous power and energy balance considering stochastic generation, power loss reduction in T&D subsystems, demand response and energy engagement, and energy efficiency. Under these big themes, you will find many numerous focused topics.