Efficiency and Sustainability of the Distributed Renewable Hybrid Power Systems Based on the Energy Internet, Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid increase in world energy demand over the last decade and the requests for sustainable development can be approached through micro- and nanogrids using hybrid power systems based on the energy internet, blockchain technology, and smart contracts. In this way, renewable energy sources and fuel cell systems and other energy generating sources will be optimally combined and connected to the grid system using advanced energy transaction methods.

Thus, to highlight the latest solutions, this Special Issue entitled “Efficiency and Sustainability of Distributed Renewable Hybrid Power Systems Based on Energy Internet, Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts”, was proposed for the international journal Sustainability, which is an SCIE journal (2018 IF = 2.592). The present Special Issue of Sustainability aims to present innovative solutions and experimental research as well as state-of-the-art studies in the following topics:

1. Microgrids, nanogrids, smart grids, smart cities, and smart associations of farms, buildings, parking, and homes;
2. Smart grid cyber security using the energy internet, blockchain, and smart contract-based applications;
3. Operations of smart associations integrated with distributed generation;
4. Smart grid architecture and energy management models;
5. Fuel cell (FC) systems: modeling, control, optimization, and innovative technologies to improve the fuel economy, lifetime, reliability, and safety in operation;
6. Hybrid power systems (HPSs) based on renewable energy sources (RESs) (RES HPS): optimized RES HPSs architectures; global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) control algorithms to improve the energy harvesting from RESs; advanced energy management strategies (EMSs) to optimally ensure the power flow balance on DC (and/or AC bus) for standalone RES HPSs or grid-connected RES HPSs (micro-, nanogrids, etc.);
7. RES HPS with FC system as a backup energy source (FC RES HPS): innovative solutions to mitigate the RES power variability and load dynamics of energy storage systems (ESSs) by control of the generated FC power; DC voltage regulation and/or load pulse mitigation by active control of the power converters from hybrid ESS;
8. FC vehicles (FCVs): FCV powertrain, ESSs topologies, and hybridization technologies and EMSs to improve the fuel economy; 
9. Optimal sizing of FC RES HPSs and FCVs;
10. Business opportunities, open issues, and future trends.

Papers received are subject to a rigorous but rapid peer review procedure, ensuring wide dissemination of the research results accepted for this Special Issue.

I am writing to invite you to submit your original work to this Special Issue. I am looking forward to reading about your outstanding research.

Prof. Dr. Nicu Bizon
Guest Editor

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