Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Processes Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems

Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2026 | Viewed by 12098

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Dr. Mohammed Jama

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi 59911, United Arab Emirates
Interests: renewable energy systems modeling and control; solar energy; wind energy; marine energy

Dr. Addy Wahyudie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
Interests: modeling and control of wave energy converters; grid integration for wave energy; energy management systems for wave energy; wave energy assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the world is swiftly shifting towards a more diversified energy paradigm, renewable energy systems are becoming prevalent both technologically and economically. Accurate modeling of such complex, nonlinear, and often heterogenous systems offers a cost-effective method to better understand systems’ behaviors, predict their performance, and optimize operation and component selection well before the real-world implementation of such systems. Moreover, accurate and reliable models will help in designing effective control strategies that maximize energy capture, minimize conversion losses, and ensure system stability and coordination, eventually enhancing the economic feasibility of the system. This Special Issue, entitled ‘Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems’, aims to demonstrate the most recent developments in the field of modeling and controlling renewable energy systems, which encompasses analytical physics-based, data-driven, and artificial intelligence-based methodologies. Furthermore, in this Special Issue, we aspire to provide a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research on the modeling and control of renewable energy systems not only restricted to electric energy generation, but also other alternative forms of renewable energy (e.g., chemical, thermal, mechanical, etc.) and conversion from one form to another (e.g., P2X and X2P). We cordially invite scientists, researchers, and engineers to contribute to this Special Issue, whether through theoretical study, computer simulations, or experimental implementation.

Topics of interest include, but not limited to, the following:

Solar energy (PV and thermal);
Wind energy;
Marine energy (tidal, wave, SGE, and OTEC);
Thermal energy;
Bioenergy (biomass, biofuels, etc.);
Energy storage (electrochemical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, etc.);
Hybrid renewable energy systems.

Dr. Mohammed Jama
Dr. Addy Wahyudie
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 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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes 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

renewable energy
modeling and simulation
control systems
energy systems
energy
artificial intelligence

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 2280 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Tailored ADMM for Chronological Production Simulation of Flexibly Interconnected Regional Power Systems

by Wenxuan Pan, Junzhou Wang, Huiying Cao, Xingyu Lin and Junjie Tang

Processes 2026, 14(16), 2593; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14162593 - 14 Aug 2026

Abstract

In flexibly interconnected regional power systems with high penetration of renewable energy, chronological production simulation encounters combinatorial explosion and computational inefficiency, especially over medium- and long-term horizons with large-scale network constraints. Centralized approaches become intractable due to problem scale and memory limitations, while existing alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) variants suffer from convergence instability and high computational cost when regional subproblems involve discrete unit commitment decisions. To address these issues, this paper establishes a network-constrained chronological production simulation model incorporating the operational characteristics of voltage-source-converter-based high-voltage direct-current (VSC-HVDC) transmission and inter-regional flexibility reserve sharing, and proposes a tailored consensus ADMM with network-constrained clustering linearization (ADMM-NCL) for an efficient parallel solution. The ADMM-NCL combines same-type unit clustering, which convexifies the unit commitment formulation for parallel solvability, with redundant network constraint screening thus retaining only the critical constraints. In representative spring and summer periods, ADMM-NCL achieves 12×~18× speedups over the centralized benchmark and 2×~10× over the tested ADMM variants; across four seasonal scenarios (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), it bounds the objective cost deviation within 0.41% while maintaining close agreement in key operational indicators. For the 8760 h case, where the centralized benchmark and several ADMM variants fail due to memory or time limits, ADMM-NCL completes the simulation within an available computational budget, thus demonstrating its scalability with respect to the full-year chronological horizon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 4080 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Hybrid Renewable Port Microgrids for Cost-Effective Cold Ironing in Small and Medium-Sized Ports

by Nikolaos Sifakis, Dimitrios Cholidis, Alexandros Chachalis, Nikolaos Savvakis and George Arampatzis

Processes 2026, 14(14), 2368; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14142368 - 22 Jul 2026

Viewed by 639

Abstract

Supplying shore-side electricity to ships at berth, a practice known as cold ironing, removes the emissions of their auxiliary engines, yet the resulting electricity demand is large, highly seasonal and hard to serve economically from the grid at the small and medium-sized ports that make up most of the European network. This study asks how to meet that demand affordably and cleanly. It develops a smart-sizing and energy-management framework for a grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system that jointly optimizes solar photovoltaic and wind capacity together with a combined battery-and-hydrogen storage envelope. An energy-conserving stochastic reconstruction of the hourly cold-ironing demand is embedded within a genetic algorithm that minimizes the levelized cost of energy and the carbon footprint, and the system is operated by a transparent, priority-based controller. On a full year of real operational data from a Mediterranean port, the optimizer selects 380 kilowatts of photovoltaic capacity and a 2064 kilowatt-hour, battery-dominated storage envelope, reaching a renewable penetration equal to 76 percent of annual demand, with 57 percent of demand met without the grid. Relative to grid-only cold ironing it lowers the levelized cost of energy by about 10 percent on a screening basis, before life-cycle costs bring it to roughly grid parity, while cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by 45 percent; emissions fall 72 percent relative to auxiliary engines. Storage capacity, not oversized renewable generation, proves decisive for deep decarbonization, and battery storage dominates the cost-optimal design for this diurnal load. The framework gives port operators a transferable, data-driven decision-support tool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

45 pages, 7103 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Numerical Beach Position Effects on the Hydrodynamics of a Submerged Horizontal Plate Device Under Sea State Conditions

by Gabrielle Ücker Thum, Vitor Eduardo Motta, Elizaldo Domingues dos Santos, Luiz Alberto Oliveira Rocha, Bianca Neves Machado and Liércio André Isoldi

Processes 2026, 14(12), 1934; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14121934 - 13 Jun 2026

Viewed by 416

Abstract

Employing the WaveMIMO methodology, the present numerical study evaluates a submerged horizontal plate (SHP) device under the incidence of representative regular and realistic irregular waves associated with the sea state off the coast of Rio Grande, Brazil. The dual functionality of the SHP device is investigated, considering its operation as a breakwater (BW) and as a wave energy converter (WEC). The main focus of this study is to investigate the effects of numerical beach (NB) positioning on the hydrodynamic response of the SHP. The governing equations for mass, momentum, and volume fraction are solved using the finite volume method (FVM), while the water–air interaction is modeled through the volume of fluid (VOF) approach. The analysis assessed the influence of SHP length (L_p) using five different values. For the tested Rio Grande sea state, SHP geometry, two-dimensional numerical model, and adopted hydrodynamic indicators, the results show that the exclusive use of representative regular waves was not sufficient to reproduce the hydrodynamic trends obtained under realistic irregular waves. The SHP demonstrates its highest BW performance in reducing the significant wave height at 3L_p for representative regular waves and realistic irregular waves. As a WEC, it achieves its highest axial velocity at 3L_p for representative regular waves and 1.5L_p and 2L_p for realistic irregular waves. The performance of the SHP as BW-WEC is the highest at 3L_p for regular waves and 2.5L_p for realistic irregular waves. In contrast to previous work, in which the NB was kept at a fixed position, the present study indicates that the downstream computational-domain configuration, including the relative positioning between the SHP and the NB, is an important factor affecting the monitored hydrodynamic response and should be carefully defined in CFD wave-flume simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 7349 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Drying Kinetics and Microclimate Conditions in a Tunnel-Type Solar Dryer Using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks

by Dagoberto Rodríguez-Ortiz, Alma Y. Alanis, Ángel Tlatelpa Becerro, Jorge Escobedo Bretado, Jorge D. Rios and Erick César López-Vidaña

Processes 2026, 14(4), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14040675 - 16 Feb 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 792

Abstract

This research established an experimental database characterizing the solar drying behavior of seven distinct agricultural products (including fruits, vegetables, and meat) in a tunnel-type solar dryer. Based on this experimental data, a dual-model architecture using multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network was developed to predict both the internal microclimate and the drying kinetics. The first network (ANN 1) mapped meteorological variables to the dryer’s internal conditions, while the second (ANN 2) predicted moisture loss. The results demonstrate distinct predictive capabilities for each physical phenomenon: the thermodynamic model (ANN 1) captured stochastic weather fluctuations, with an R² of 0.9878 and an MAPE of 4.64%. The kinetic model (ANN 2) achieved near-perfect linearity with an R² of 0.9997 and an MAPE of 0.49%, significantly outperforming baseline linear regression models (R² approx 0.78). These findings confirm the system’s capacity to generalize across diverse food types and variable weather conditions, providing a robust tool for future Model Predictive Control (MPC) applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

28 pages, 2929 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Geometric Evaluation of an L-Shaped Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter Under the Realistic Sea State Found in Rio Grande-RS

by Maycon da Silveira Paiva, Ana Paula Giussani Mocellin, Elizaldo Domingues dos Santos, Luiz Alberto Oliveira Rocha, Bianca Neves Machado and Liércio André Isoldi

Processes 2025, 13(12), 3942; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123942 - 5 Dec 2025

Viewed by 761

Abstract

This study conducts a numerical investigation of the geometry of the oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter under realistic irregular wave conditions found off the coast of Rio Grande, southern Brazil. Two OWC models were compared: the conventional design and the L-shaped configuration (L-OWC). The OWC structure consists of a hydropneumatic chamber and an air duct, where a turbine is coupled to an electric generator. Additionally, in the L-shaped chamber configuration, a water intake duct is considered. The constructal design method was employed for the geometric evaluation of the devices. For the L-OWC, the influence of the height-to-length ratio of the water intake duct on the obtained hydropneumatic power available was analyzed. In parallel, for the conventional OWC, the free-board submergence was investigated. Subsequently, the optimal geometry for each OWC model was selected to study the height-to-length ratio of the hydropneumatic chamber. Numerical simulations were performed using ANSYS Fluent software. Thus, the performance of the converters was improved by approximately 35.76 times for the L-OWC and 3.78 times for the conventional OWC. However, it is noteworthy that the optimal configuration of the conventional OWC achieved a performance 2.62 times higher than the optimal L-OWC geometry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3661 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

An Energy Storage Unit Design for a Piezoelectric Wind Energy Harvester with a High Total Harmonic Distortion

by Davut Özhan and Erol Kurt

Processes 2025, 13(10), 3217; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103217 - 9 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1148

Abstract

A new energy storage unit, which is fed by a piezoelectric wind energy harvester, is explored. The outputs of a three-phase piezoelectric wind energy device have been initially recorded from the laboratory experiments. Following the records of voltage outputs, the power ranges of the device were measured at several hundred microwatts. The main issue of piezoelectric voltage generation is that voltage waveforms of piezoelectric materials have high total harmonic distortion (THD) with incredibly high subharmonics and superharmonics. Therefore, such a material reply causes a certain power loss at the output of the wind energy generator. In order to fix this problem, we propose a combination of a rectifier and a storage system, where they can operate compatibly under high THD rates (i.e., 125%). Due to high THD values, current–voltage characteristics are not linear-dependent; indeed, because of capacitive effect of the piezoelectric (i.e., lead zirconium titanite) material, harvested power from the material is reduced by nearly a factor of 20% in the output. That also negatively affects the storage on the Li-based battery. In order to compensate, the output waveform of the device, the waveforms, which are received from the energy-harvester device, are first rectified by a full-wave rectifier that has a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) unit. The SOC values prove that almost 40% of the charge is stored in 1.2 s under moderate wind speeds, such as 6.1 m/s. To conclude, a better harvesting performance has been obtained by storing the energy into the Li-ion battery under a current–voltage-controlled boost converter technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 3268 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Decarbonizing Arctic Mining Operations with Wind-Hydrogen Systems: Case Study of Raglan Mine

by Hugo Azin, Baby-Jean Robert Mungyeko Bisulandu, Adrian Ilinca and Daniel R. Rousse

Processes 2025, 13(10), 3208; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103208 - 9 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1834

Abstract

This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of integrating wind power with hydrogen-based storage to decarbonize the Raglan Mine in northern Canada. Using HOMER simulations with real 2021 operational data, six progressive scenarios were modeled, ranging from partial substitution of diesel generators to complete site-wide electrification, including heating, transport, and mining equipment. Results show that complete decarbonization (Scenario 6) is technically achievable and could avoid up to 143,000 tCO₂eq annually (~2.15 Mt over 15 years), but remains economically prohibitive under current technology costs. In contrast, Scenario 2 Case 2, which combines solid oxide fuel cells with thermal charge controllers, emerges as the most viable near-term pathway, avoiding ~61,000 tCO₂eq annually (~0.91 Mt over 15 years) while achieving improved return on investment. A qualitative multi-criteria framework highlights this configuration as the best trade-off between technical feasibility, environmental performance, and economic viability. At the same time, complete decarbonization remains a longer-term target contingent on cost reductions and policy support. Overall, the findings provide clear evidence that hydrogen storage, when coupled with wind power, can deliver substantial and measurable decarbonization benefits for Arctic mining operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1242 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Renewable Energy Systems for Isolated Residential Houses: A Case Study Favoring Wind Power

by Deivis Avila, Ángela Hernández and Graciliano Nicolás Marichal

Processes 2025, 13(10), 3127; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103127 - 29 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1315

Abstract

This study models different hybrid systems based on renewable energies that can be supported by diesel generators to meet the energy needs of isolated homes in the Canary Islands. The research will cover the energy requirements of a residential house, including the production of fresh water using a reverse osmosis desalination plant. The system is designed to operate independently of the electrical grid. The HOMER software package was used to model and optimize the hybrid systems. The model was fed with data on the electrical demands of residential homes (including the consumption by the small reverse osmosis desalination plant) as well as the technical specifications of the various devices and renewable energy sources, such as solar radiation and wind speed potentials. The software considers various configurations to optimize hybrid systems, selecting the most suitable one based on the available renewable energy sources at the selected location. The data used in the research were collected on the eastern islands of the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Based on the system input parameters, the simulation and optimization performed in HOMER, taking into account the lowest “Levelized Cost of Energy”, it can be concluded that the preferred hybrid renewable energy system for this region is a small wind turbine with a nominal power of 1.9 kW, eight batteries, and a small diesel generator with a nominal power of 1.0 kW. The knowledge from this research could be applied to other geographical areas of the world that have similar conditions, namely a shortage of water and plentiful renewable energy sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2759 KB

Open AccessArticle

Harnessing Renewable Energy Sources in CO₂ Refrigeration for Eco-Friendly Fish Cold Storage

by Arian Semedo and João Garcia

Processes 2025, 13(9), 2847; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092847 - 5 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1930

Abstract

This study explores innovative strategic solutions within a sustainability framework, focusing on four viable options for an integrated refrigeration system designed for fish preservation in Tarrafal de Santiago, Cape Verde. Tarrafal is a coastal town on Santiago Island, characterized by its reliance on fishing activities and the challenges posed by limited energy infrastructure and local environmental vulnerabilities. The evaluated solutions range from grid-dependent systems to fully autonomous configurations powered by renewable energy sources, incorporating various refrigeration facility designs adapted to regional conditions. The primary objective is to assess the energy efficiency, economic viability, and environmental impact of these options within the specific geographic and socioeconomic context of Tarrafal de Santiago. Four approaches were analyzed: Strategy A involves two R134a refrigeration systems powered by conventional grid electricity; Strategy B employs a transcritical CO₂ (R744) system combined with grid electricity; Strategy C integrates an R744 refrigeration system powered by autonomous renewable energy sources; and Strategy D utilizes R744 refrigeration combined with seawater-based heat exchange and autonomous renewable energy generation. The results indicate that Strategy D offers the greatest advantages, with emissions amounting to 15,882 kg of CO₂ equivalent and a return on investment within five years. Autonomous electricity generation in Strategy D leads to a 95% reduction in CO₂ emissions. Although Strategy C entails a higher initial cost, it proves financially viable and significantly enhances energy sustainability. Its autonomous energy production results in a reduction of 360,697 kg of CO₂ emissions compared to conventional systems, highlighting the substantial environmental benefits of integrating local renewable energy sources into coastal communities such as Tarrafal de Santiago. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1421 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Application of Electric Energy Storage Technologies for Small and Medium Prosumers in Smart Grids

by Rosa M. Rengel Gálvez, Julio J. Caparrós Mancera, Eduardo López González, Diego Tejada Guzmán and José M. Sancho Peñate

Processes 2025, 13(9), 2756; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092756 - 28 Aug 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1327

Abstract

As the energy transition advances toward a low-carbon economy, small- and medium-sized consumers are increasingly becoming active prosumers, capable of generating, storing, and managing their own electricity. However, the intermittent nature of renewable sources poses significant challenges in matching generation with consumption, making energy storage a key element for prosumer participation in smart grids. This work assesses the performance of various energy storage technologies suitable for prosumer applications, focusing on parameters such as efficiency, lifecycle behavior, and system integration. Lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen-based technologies were tested under real-world operating conditions within residential, commercial, and industrial scenarios. The results confirm that hybrid configurations deliver the most balanced performance, with supercapacitors improving short-term stability in commercial contexts and hydrogen storage enabling long-duration autonomy in industrial settings. In terms of battery state of charge, the experimental tests showed clear differences across prosumer types: in the residential case, it dropped to about 20–25% in the morning, but recovered to nearly full capacity by midday and stabilized at around 70–75% by the end of the day; in the commercial case, it fluctuated more widely, between roughly 18% and 100%, evidencing the highest stress on batteries; while in the industrial case, it reached 25–30% at peak demand, with hydrogen sustaining autonomy under extended load and ensuring greater long-term reliability. Overall, the findings reinforce the importance of tailored storage strategies to unlock the full potential of prosumers in smart grids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advances in the Modeling, Optimization and Control of Renewable Energy Systems

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI