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Simulation and Optimisation for Operational Decision-Making in Renewable Energy Supply Chains and Systems

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 3225

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ammar Al-Bazi

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Guest Editor

College of Business and Social Sciences, Aston Business School, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Interests: behavioural decision making in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare; renewable energy supply chain and demand side management; household energy consumption optimisation; logistics and transportation optimisation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global energy transition calls for robust operational modelling and real-time decision-making to ensure the efficient, resilient, and sustainable functioning of renewable energy systems. This Special Issue seeks high-quality contributions that investigate how simulation, optimisation, and digital technologies can support operational decision-making within renewable energy supply chains and systems.

Operational decision-making in this context involves managing daily and tactical operations to optimise energy generation, distribution, and supply chain performance, while addressing inherent uncertainties and supporting sustainability goals.

We welcome original research, applied methodologies, and case studies that showcase the use of advanced tools including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Optimisation Techniques, Stochastic Modelling, Digital Twins, and Hybrid Simulation Approaches. Submissions should demonstrate how these tools enhance operational performance, resource allocation, system control, and logistics within renewable energy contexts.

While hydrogen remains a vibrant and relevant area, this Special Issue broadly invites submissions across all renewable energy domains, including wind, solar, bioenergy, and integrated energy systems.

Submissions from interdisciplinary teams combining engineering, economics, policy, and data science are particularly encouraged. We also welcome papers examining the policy implications of operational decision-making models or contributing to regulatory frameworks.

Topics of Interest:

We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

General Topics:

Simulation and optimisation for real-time energy operations;
Operational scheduling, dispatch, and control of renewable energy systems;
Techno-operational modelling of renewable energy supply chains;
Short-term forecasting and analytics for demand, generation, and pricing;
Digital Twin applications for operational monitoring and control;
AI and IoT for predictive maintenance and operational analytics;
Lifecycle operations and performance optimisation;
Risk and uncertainty modelling in day-to-day energy operations;
Regulatory compliance and operational policy evaluation.

Optional Focus Area: Hydrogen Systems

Modelling and optimisation of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution;
Feasibility and market development for hydrogen infrastructure;
Data-driven tools for hydrogen logistics and network design;
Lifecycle assessment and sustainability metrics for hydrogen systems;
Simulation-based evaluation of hydrogen investment and policy scenarios

Dr. Ammar Al-Bazi
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 system optimisation
renewable energy supply chains
energy policy evaluation
operational decision-making in energy systems
AI-driven energy analytics
sustainable energy operations
internet of things (IoT) in energy systems
mathematical optimisation in energy markets
digital twins and Industry 4.0 for energy systems

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 4741 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Decision-Support Framework for Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Hybrid Rooftop PV and Dome-Integrated BIPV Under Harsh Climatic Conditions

by Mohammed A. AlAqil

Energies 2026, 19(9), 2220; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19092220 - 4 May 2026

Viewed by 508

Abstract

The increasing integration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems in urban environments requires planning frameworks that simultaneously address economic viability, environmental sustainability, and power system performance. This study develops a simulation-based techno-economic and environmental assessment framework for evaluating hybrid rooftop photovoltaic (PV) and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) deployment under harsh climatic conditions. Detailed system modelling using PVsyst and ETAP is conducted to analyse energy production, economic performance, environmental impact, and grid interaction characteristics, including voltage deviation and harmonic distortion. To support deployment planning and operational decision-making, the simulation outputs are incorporated into a multi-objective optimisation framework that evaluates trade-offs among levelized cost of energy (LCOE), net present value (NPV), carbon emission reduction, and power quality indicators. Three deployment configurations including rooftop PV only, BIPV only, and a hybrid PV–BIPV system are assessed using structured trade-off analysis and Pareto optimality principles. Results indicate that the hybrid configuration provides the most balanced performance across technical, economic, and environmental objectives. The system achieves an average performance ratio of 77.36% and generates approximately 2075 MWh of annual energy while maintaining grid voltages within acceptable limits and harmonic distortion well below IEEE 519 thresholds. Economic analysis shows strong financial feasibility with an LCOE of approximately 0.05 USD/kWh, a payback period of 8.1 years, a net present value of about 2.88 million USD, and a return on investment exceeding 145%. Loss analysis further identifies temperature effects and dust accumulation as the dominant performance constraints under harsh environmental conditions. Moreover, Pareto-based evaluation confirms the hybrid PV–BIPV configuration as the preferred deployment strategy among the evaluated alternatives. The proposed framework demonstrates how integrated simulation and multi-objective optimization can serve as a practical decision-support tool for planners and policymakers seeking to optimise distributed renewable energy deployment under climatic and operational uncertainties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Simulation and Optimisation for Operational Decision-Making in Renewable Energy Supply Chains and Systems)

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36 pages, 6369 KB

Open AccessArticle

A System Dynamics Evaluation of a Sustainable Energy-Efficiency Business Model Integrating Performance Contracting, Supply Contracting, and Savings Insurance

by Usain Kadri, Nashwan Dawood, Ammar Al-Bazi and Olugbenga Akinade

Energies 2026, 19(9), 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19092030 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 414

Abstract

This paper evaluates a Sustainable Energy Efficiency Business Model (SEEBM) for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European industrial sector. The sustainability-oriented model, developed by the authors, combines Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), Energy Supply Contracting (ESC), and Energy Saving Insurance (ESI) within a unified framework to support industrial decarbonisation. The study identifies key performance indicators and translates them into a System Dynamics model using a Design-Based Research approach. The model is built from secondary data drawn from 45 SME case studies in the European SMEmPower project and is validated through extreme condition testing and behavioural sensitivity analysis. Results indicate that the integrated model significantly enhances financial performance, reducing the average payback period from average 36 months to 10 months. Sensitivity analysis highlights the influence of contract duration, energy saving rates, and energy prices on both payback and emissions reduction outcomes. This research introduces a novel dynamic framework integrating EPC, ESC, and ESI, enabling time-based evaluation of investment viability and environmental impact. It offers a replicable decision support tool for policymakers and market actors seeking scalable, low risk pathways to SME decarbonisation. Overall, the model provides practical insights for improving investment decisions while accelerating the transition toward sustainable industrial systems across Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Simulation and Optimisation for Operational Decision-Making in Renewable Energy Supply Chains and Systems)

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16 pages, 655 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Price-Taker to Price-Setter: Quantifying the Dynamic Market Power Threshold for Wind Energy in Oligopolistic Markets

by Alvin Arturo Henao Pérez and Luceny Guzman

Energies 2026, 19(6), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19061557 - 21 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 380

Abstract

As wind power penetration increases, understanding its potential to exercise unilateral market power is critical. This dynamic is particularly relevant in systems like the Colombian wholesale electricity market, which is characterized by a strong dependence on reservoir-based hydropower and a concentrated oligopolistic structure. However, evaluating the threshold where a renewable generator transitions from a price-taker to a price-setter remains challenging. This article explores this strategic transition and its market implications. By isolating a wind agent’s actions against a competitive hydro-thermal fringe using a discretized bi-level approach, we analyze how physical capacity withholding strategies might evolve under varying wind availability and system stress. The findings suggest that wind market power operates across three dynamic regimes: (i) a defensive “Price-Support” strategy during low demand, where capacity may be withheld to prevent price collapses; (ii) a “Scarcity Creation” tipping point during peak demand (observed around a 20% wind availability factor), which appears to incentivize fractional withholding to force expensive thermal dispatch; and iii) a return to “Volume Maximization” when abundant wind renders manipulation economically suboptimal. Ultimately, these results indicate that renewable market power is highly transient and conditional on meteorological profiles, suggesting that regulators could benefit from shifting toward predictive, weather-driven market surveillance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Simulation and Optimisation for Operational Decision-Making in Renewable Energy Supply Chains and Systems)

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Review

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25 pages, 2250 KB

Open AccessReview

A Green Energy Closed-Loop System Based on Aluminum

by Hong-Wen Wang and Liang-Ying Huang

Energies 2026, 19(3), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19030853 - 5 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1167

Abstract

This paper presents a focused review of a closed-loop system for sustainable hydrogen production utilizing the reaction between metallic aluminum powders and water, coupled with renewable energy-driven recycling of aluminum hydroxide (or alumina) byproducts back to metallic aluminum powders. A green energy closed-loop system based on aluminum could be achieved if the converting process is accomplished by a green Hall–Héroult process, where a cermet inert anode was used. Meanwhile, the byproduct alumina is converted back to the liquid form of aluminum at high temperature (up to 960 °C), producing pure oxygen. A high-pressure atomization process is then used to break the aluminum droplets into powder using argon gas. The technical feasibility, thermodynamic efficiency, economic viability, environmental sustainability, and comparison of this green aluminum cycle with existing hydrogen production and energy storage technologies are discussed. The aluminum–water reaction offers exceptional energy density (29.7 kJ/g of Al), ambient temperature operation, and zero direct carbon emissions. However, commercial implementation faces substantial challenges including overall round-trip energy efficiency (estimated 34.5–46.6%), technological maturity of the recycling process, passivation layer management, and economic competitiveness with conventional water electrolysis. Despite these challenges, the system demonstrates advantages for seasonal energy storage, off-grid applications, and integration with intermittent renewable energy sources. This analysis provides a framework for researchers, engineers, and policymakers to assess the potential role of aluminum-based energy cycles in the global energy transition toward carbon neutrality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Simulation and Optimisation for Operational Decision-Making in Renewable Energy Supply Chains and Systems)

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Simulation and Optimisation for Operational Decision-Making in Renewable Energy Supply Chains and Systems

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