Professor Zhang’s research activities include smart grid technologies; FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) and HVDC applications in electric power systems operation & control. It also includes integration of renewable generation including wind and wave energy generation systems into power grids; hybrid vehicles; smart metering and electricity market modeling & analysis sponsored by UK Research Councils, Industry, UK Government and European Commission FP7 Smart Energy Network (Smart Grid) Programme. He has established two advanced electrical power systems laboratories at the University of Birmingham, namely Smart Power Grid Laboratory and Real-time Power Grid Simulation, Measurement, Protection and Control laboratory.

Professor Zhang has over 100 publications including 3 books. Xiao-Ping has been an invited speaker for many panel & plenary sessions of International Conferences. He is Co-Chair of the IEEE Power & Energy Society Working Group on Test Systems for Economic Analysis. He is also the secretary of IFAC Technical Committee on Power Plants and Power Systems. He is an IEEE PES Distinguished Lecturer and Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid and Power Systems.