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Next-Generation Microgrids: Intelligent Modeling, Control, and Digital Integration of Renewable Energy Systems

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 768

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Electromechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Colima, Colima 28864, Mexico
Interests: power system stability; power systems analysis; power systems simulation; power systems modeling; MATLAB simulation; renewable energy; photovoltaics; renewable energy technologies; electrical power engineering; power generation

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Guest Editor
Electromechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Colima, Colima 28864, Mexico
Interests: power system stability; power systems analysis; power systems simulation; power systems modeling; MATLAB simulation; renewable energy; photovoltaics; renewable energy technologies; electrical power engineering; power generation; Internet of Things; machine learning for power systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The transition to a sustainable and resilient energy future relies heavily on the deployment of renewable energy-based microgrids. These systems enable decentralized energy generation, improved reliability, and the efficient integration of diverse sources such as solar, wind, and energy storage. This Special Issue aims to gather high-quality research focused on the design, modeling, control, and optimization of microgrids that enhance energy sustainability and operational intelligence.

Key topics include the development of DC and AC microgrids, control strategies for both islanded and grid-connected operation, and the role of power electronics in integrating renewable energy and electric vehicles. Emphasis is also placed on energy management systems (EMS), power quality, load balancing, and the contribution of storage technologies to system stability.

We welcome submissions addressing the use of digital technologies—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and edge-based architectures—for real-time monitoring and smart control. In addition, this Special Issue highlights the role of artificial intelligence in forecasting renewable generation and demand, intelligent control strategies, and predictive maintenance within microgrid environments.

Original research articles, technical reviews, and theoretical developments are encouraged to advance the state of the art in intelligent, renewably powered microgrids.

This Special Issue aims to gather innovative research on the design, modeling, implementation, and optimization of renewable energy-based microgrids. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Modeling and Control of Microgrids:

  • Design and control of DC and AC microgrids with renewable sources;
  • Operational strategies for islanded and grid-connected modes;
  • Power electronics for renewable energy integration;
  • Integration of electric vehicles into microgrid systems.

Energy Management and Operational Stability:

  • Energy Management Systems (EMS);
  • Power quality, load balancing, and energy efficiency;
  • Integration and impact of energy storage systems on microgrid.

Digital Technologies for Smart Microgrids:

  • Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and cloud computing;
  • Real-time monitoring using edge-cloud architectures.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Microgrids:

  • AI-based forecasting of renewable generation and energy demand;
  • Intelligent control strategies using reinforcement learning;
  • Predictive maintenance and fault detection;
  • AI applications in rural, urban, and islanded microgrids.

Prof. Dr. Juan Miguel Gonzalez-Lopez
Dr. Ramón J. Betancourt
Prof. Dr. Julio Cesar Rosas Caro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microgrids
  • renewable energy systems
  • energy management systems (EMS)
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • electric vehicle integration
  • IoT-based monitoring
  • power electronics
  • real-time control
  • energy storage integration
  • predictive maintenance
  • virtual power plants
  • demand-side management and flexibility

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

40 pages, 3030 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Sustainable Energy Transitions in Small Isolated Grids Using Multi-Criteria Approaches
by César Berna-Escriche, Lucas Álvarez-Piñeiro, David Blanco and Yago Rivera
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7644; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147644 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 327
Abstract
The ambitious goals of decarbonization of the European economy by mid-century pose significant challenges, especially when relying heavily on resources whose nature is inherently intermittent, specifically wind and solar energy. The situation is even more serious in isolated regions with limited connections to [...] Read more.
The ambitious goals of decarbonization of the European economy by mid-century pose significant challenges, especially when relying heavily on resources whose nature is inherently intermittent, specifically wind and solar energy. The situation is even more serious in isolated regions with limited connections to larger power grids. Using EnergyPLAN software, three scenarios for 2023 were modeled: a diesel-only system, the current hybrid renewable system, and an optimized scenario. This paper evaluates the performance of the usual generation system existing in isolated systems, based on fossil fuels, and proposes an optimized system considering both the cost of the system and the penalties for emissions. All this is applied to the case study of the island of El Hierro, but the findings are applicable to any location with similar characteristics. This system is projected to reduce emissions by over 75% and cut costs by one-third compared to the current configuration. A system has been proposed that preserves the economic viability and reliability of diesel-based systems while achieving low emission levels. This is accomplished primarily through the use of renewable energy generation, supported by pumped hydro storage. The approach is specifically designed for remote regions with small isolated grids, where reliability is critical. Importantly, the system relies on appropriately sized renewable installations, avoiding oversizing, which—although it could further reduce emissions—would lead to significant energy surpluses and require even more efficient storage solutions. This emphasizes the importance of implementing high emission penalties as a key policy measure to phase out fossil fuel generation. Full article
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