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Energy Policies and Energy Transition: Strategies and Outlook

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 817

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Interests: energy geography; energy system governance; low carbon development
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global transition towards sustainable energy systems not only represents a technical challenge, but also a profound policy transformation. In response to this transformation, our Special Issue, entitled “Energy Policies and Energy Transition: Strategies and Outlook”, seeks to advance our understanding of policy frameworks and strategic initiatives that shape energy transition efforts worldwide. This Special Issue aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform for pioneering research, thought leadership and actionable insights across the field of energy.

This Special Issue will highlight research on the policies and strategies driving the transition from conventional to renewable energy sources, addressing crucial aspects such as regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and the integration of innovative technologies such as hydrogen energy, energy storage, and grid modernization. In addition to focusing on technical and economic dimensions, this Special Issue will explore the socio-political facets of energy policies, including public acceptance, community engagement, and the socioeconomic impact of transitioning energy systems.

As we navigate the complexities of achieving a low-carbon, resilient, and equitable energy future, contributions to this Special Issue will delve into diverse regional case studies, policy analysis, and modelling approaches that showcase best practices and lessons learned. By gathering insights from experts in policy, technology, economics, and social sciences, we aim to equip readers with a holistic insight into energy transition strategies and the evolving policy landscape, which will ultimately define the future of sustainable energy.

Prof. Dr. Guotian Cai
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Energies 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 2600 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

  • energy policies
  • energy transition
  • renewable energy sources
  • energy regulatory
  • energy storage
  • grid modernization
  • energy economic

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 2265 KB  
Article
Risk-Constrained Optimization Framework for Generation and Transmission Maintenance Scheduling Under Economic and Carbon Emission Constraints
by Huihang Li, Jie Chen, Wenjuan Du, Chiguang Wei, Zhuping Xiang, Hanlong Liu, Xieyu Hu and Yuping Huang
Energies 2026, 19(1), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010201 - 30 Dec 2025
Viewed by 104
Abstract
Power generation and transmission systems face increasing challenges in coordinating maintenance planning under economic pressure and carbon emission constraints. This study proposes an optimization framework that integrates preventive maintenance scheduling with operational dispatch decisions, aiming to achieve both cost efficiency and emission reduction. [...] Read more.
Power generation and transmission systems face increasing challenges in coordinating maintenance planning under economic pressure and carbon emission constraints. This study proposes an optimization framework that integrates preventive maintenance scheduling with operational dispatch decisions, aiming to achieve both cost efficiency and emission reduction. A bi-layer scenario-based mixed-integer optimization model is formulated, where the upper layer determines annual preventive maintenance windows, and the lower layer performs hourly economic dispatch considering renewable generation and demand uncertainty. To manage the exposure to extreme carbon outcomes, a Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) constraint is embedded, jointly controlling economic and environmental risks. A parallel cut-generation decomposition algorithm is developed to ensure computational scalability for large-scale systems. Numerical experiments on six-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems demonstrate that the proposed model reduces total carbon emissions by up to 32.1%, while maintaining cost efficiency and system reliability. The scenario analyses further show that adjusting maintenance schedules according to seasonal carbon intensity effectively balances operation and emission targets. The results confirm that the proposed optimization framework provides a practical and scalable approach for achieving low-carbon, reliable, and economically efficient power system maintenance planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policies and Energy Transition: Strategies and Outlook)
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19 pages, 1482 KB  
Article
Research on the Optimization of Urban Electric Heating Hydrogen Integrated Energy System Under Carbon Pricing Mechanism: A Case Study of Guangzhou City
by Yao Duan, Chong Gao, Feng Li, Guotian Cai, Donghong Wu and Songyan Ren
Energies 2025, 18(23), 6084; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236084 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 277
Abstract
This study establishes an urban-scale integrated energy system model, innovatively incorporating carbon emission cost constraints. Utilizing a source-load-storage collaborative planning approach, the research quantitatively evaluates the interplay between hydrogen energy penetration and carbon pricing policies on system evolution. A dynamic optimization algorithm is [...] Read more.
This study establishes an urban-scale integrated energy system model, innovatively incorporating carbon emission cost constraints. Utilizing a source-load-storage collaborative planning approach, the research quantitatively evaluates the interplay between hydrogen energy penetration and carbon pricing policies on system evolution. A dynamic optimization algorithm is employed to identify the cost-minimal development pathway. Results reveal that a 30% increase in photovoltaic capacity and a 50% expansion in biomass power generation reduce annual system carbon emission intensity by 1.3 basis points, highlighting the decarbonization potential of renewable energy scaling. Hydrogen-based transportation substitution for fuel vehicles contributes 2.7% of the system’s total CO2 reduction through full lifecycle emission savings. At a carbon price of 140 yuan/ton CO2, market-driven energy structure optimization enhances renewable utilization by 11.2 percentage points, achieving a 0.3% annual reduction in societal emissions (equating to 297,000 tons). However, this scenario induces a 5% rise in end-user energy costs (approximately 530,000 yuan annually), underscoring the critical balance between decarbonization and economic viability. The study demonstrates that urban energy system planning must integrate dual objectives of carbon constraints and cost efficiency. Policy incentives are coupled with technological cost reductions in environmental and economic performance. This study provides quantitative evidence to guide low-carbon transition strategies for municipal energy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Policies and Energy Transition: Strategies and Outlook)
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