Industrial Chain, Supply Chain and Value Chain in the Energy Industry: Opportunities and Challenges

Ongoing geopolitical conflicts, frequent energy trade wars, and related issues significantly undermine the globalization of the energy market. The pressing questions of today’s and tomorrow’s energy transformation revolve around expanding the energy industry’s industry chain, supply chain, and value chain, as well as enhancing the market-oriented distribution of energy through innovative and transformative approaches. Currently, data have emerged as a pivotal force driving economic growth, fueling the energy revolution, and propelling the advancement of digital technologies for the creation of a comprehensive global and regional energy market. This shift introduces fresh governance concepts, theories, methods, and models. The traditional energy system’s dual challenges of high demand and high emissions exacerbate ongoing coal-power conflicts and impede the market-based reform of oil and gas pipelines. With the rapid digitization of the energy sector and the challenges posed by integrating large-scale renewable energy sources, distributed power supply, and microgrids, there is an urgent need to adopt digital strategies to address the “impossible triangle” of ensuring energy security, economic growth, and efficiency. Thus, exploring digital governance within the energy sector’s industry, supply, and value chains is crucial. This exploration aims to enhance the efficiency of market factor allocation within the energy industry amid the digital economy’s swift expansion and address the broader issues of energy market reform and global integration.

This Special Issue presents a collection of 10 rigorously researched papers that delve into the opportunities and challenges within the energy industry’s industry chain, supply chain, and value chain. Highlighting the pivotal moment facing the energy sector, driven by the rapid transition towards renewable sources [1,2,3], evolution of the digital economy [3,4], and the pressing demand for sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions [3,5,6], market optimization and integration [7,8], technological innovation and diffusion [6,9], regional and international cooperations [4,5], and environmental governance and regulations [10], this issue contributes to the discourse on navigating the complexities of modern energy systems. It offers insights into leveraging digital transformation for sustainable development, underscoring the integral role of innovative approaches in advancing the global energy transition.

China’s reliance on coal-based energy significantly contributes to its carbon emissions, necessitating structural adjustments and accelerated transformation within the coal industry and its associated sectors. A crucial step towards decarbonization involves understanding the CO₂ emission flow from coal production. In this context, Yang et al. provide a foundational analysis of China’s coal-based energy sector, identifying key contributors to its carbon emissions and proposing a shift towards distributed renewable energy sources. This study sets the stage for understanding the broader implications of energy production practices and their global impact. Similarly, Sanseverino and Luu expand the discussion to the global transition towards renewable energy technologies, emphasizing the importance of resource management across the energy technology supply chain to achieve sustainability goals.

The role of New Digital Infrastructure in facilitating a sustainable energy transition is thoroughly examined by Fan et al., highlighting its potential to drive green total factor productivity and foster regional cooperation in pollution reduction. This highlights the transformative power of digitalization in the energy sector, offering a new lens through which to view the challenges and opportunities of achieving carbon neutrality. In a study focusing on the digital economy’s impact on carbon emissions, Lyu et al. demonstrate the significant potential of digital technologies to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This research emphasizes the critical role of digitalization in the energy sector’s transition towards a more sustainable and low-carbon model. Subsequently, Huang et al. examine the new energy industry’s export sophistication and its impact on CO₂ emissions, advocating for policies that enhance the global competitiveness of renewable energy products. Their research underscores the importance of international cooperation and technological innovation in achieving a low-carbon future.

Balhasan et al. explore the application of game theory in optimizing agreements within the oil industry, suggesting innovative approaches to negotiation that can enhance profitability without compromising on environmental standards. This contribution illuminates the complexity of economic interactions in the energy sector and the potential for strategic cooperation to address profitability and sustainability simultaneously. Complementing this, Zheng et al. investigate the effects of market integration on carbon emissions, offering insights into the delicate balance between economic development and environmental protection. Their findings reveal the importance of industrial rationalization and upgrade in mitigating carbon emissions, highlighting the need for targeted policies that support sustainable development.

In a vein of innovation, Zhang et al. delve into the transformative impact of industrial robots on the energy industry, showcasing how technological advancements can optimize production efficiency and contribute to a more sustainable and internationally competitive energy sector. This highlights the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and economic development within the energy industry. Dai et al. investigate the role of new energy vehicles in promoting low-carbon commuting practices within urban settings. Their findings underscore the importance of supporting infrastructure and public awareness to facilitate the widespread adoption of sustainable transportation options, contributing to the broader goal of urban sustainability and carbon emission reduction.

Environmental governance plays a crucial role in the energy transition. Zhang et al. examine the impact of China’s Ecological Civilization Pilot Policies (ECPs) on carbon emission reduction within the urban green energy sector, employing a distinct incentive–constraint model to reflect China’s unique political landscape. The results show the potential of ECPs in contributing to global carbon emission reduction and sustainability efforts. By navigating the debate between neoclassical economics and the Porter Hypothesis, the study enriches the discourse on environmental regulations and their efficacy in promoting ecological civilization.

This Special Issue presents a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of the energy sector, highlighting the critical importance of integrating digital governance, technological innovation, and sustainable practices across the industry, supply, and value chains. By addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities presented by the digital economy, geopolitical dynamics, and environmental concerns, the contributions within this issue offer valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers committed to advancing the global energy transition towards a more sustainable, efficient, and low-carbon future.