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

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.