{"title":"Sustainable futures: Aligning climate actions and socio-economic justice through the just energy transition","authors":"Phemelo Tamasiga , Helen Onyeaka , Malebogo Bakwena , Benita Kayembe , Valentine Dzingai , Nancy Kgengwenyane , Agnes Ariho Babugura , El houssin Ouassou","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition towards a just and equitable energy system is a crucial pathway to reconciling climate action with socio-economic justice, as outlined by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. This systematic review examines the evolving scope of the Just Energy Transition, which has expanded from labor concerns to broader socio-economic and environmental dimensions. It presents a compelling case for safeguarding marginalized and vulnerable communities as economies shift to low-carbon models. The review investigates the synergies and trade-offs between SDG implementation and climate action, emphasizing the need to balance economic growth, energy access, food security, and infrastructure development with climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Achieving a just energy transition requires prioritizing renewable energy investments, sustainable infrastructure, and policies that promote equity. Decentralized energy systems have effectively reduced energy poverty and alleviated regional disparities. However, the review also identifies potential trade-offs, such as economic disruption and increased inequality, if the transition is not managed inclusively. These challenges require an integrated policy framework that promotes cross-sectoral collaboration, drives clean energy innovation, accelerates the mobilization of private capital, and implements targeted subsidies. Such a comprehensive approach is indispensable for securing sustainable futures that meet climate action and socio-economic justice mandates. Comprehensive stakeholder engagement and capacity-building initiatives are critical to executing a just transition that aligns economic policy with environmental stewardship.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101726"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optimized deep neural network architectures for energy consumption and PV production forecasting","authors":"Eghbal Hosseini , Barzan Saeedpour , Mohsen Banaei , Razgar Ebrahimy","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate time-series forecasting of energy consumption and photovoltaic (PV) production is essential for effective energy management and sustainability. Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) are effective tools for learning complex patterns in such data; however, optimizing their architecture remains a significant challenge. This paper introduces a novel hybrid optimization approach that integrates Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to enhance the DNN architecture for more accurate energy forecasting. The performance of GA-PSO is compared with leading hyperparameter optimization techniques, such as Bayesian Optimization and Evolutionary Strategy, across various optimization benchmarks and DNN hyperparameter tuning tasks. The study evaluates the GA-PSO-enhanced Optimized Deep Neural Network (ODNN) against traditional DNNs and state-of-the-art machine learning methods on multiple real-world energy forecasting tasks. The results demonstrate that ODNN outperforms the average performance of other methods, achieving a 27% improvement in forecasting accuracy and a 22% reduction in error across various metrics. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of GA-PSO as an effective tool to optimize DNN models in energy forecasting applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101704"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143786032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inclusive green finance approach to assess energy resilience: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) utilization in energy strategy perspective","authors":"Beichen Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The paper investigates the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the energy strategy perspective of energy resilience with the inclusive role of green finance in China. The data from 2012 to 2022 is assessed using split analysis, regression analysis, heterogeneity analysis, Bayesian underlying process, and robustness analysis technique. The results revealed that AI utilization has the potential to generate a shift in the perspective of energy strategy and might lead China to the following heights. The study findings confirmed that AI utilization enhances energy resilience in energy systems. Furthermore, AI technology also has a significant role in retaining the inclusiveness of green finance from an energy industrial perspective. However, our findings confirmed that artificial intelligence in the energy industry enhances energy sustainability growth in energy generation and leads to the adoption of modern financing options like green finance. Based on research findings, the paper explains multiple policy guidelines for policymakers in designing robust AI-supported energy strategies to enhance their long-term resilience with financial sustainability in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101696"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143783538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rui Xie , Xiaojuun Deng , Yuannxing Yin , Dilafruz Fayziyeva , Elchin Eyvazov , Fu Liu
{"title":"Economic viability of high-performance cycle systems: Energy and cost efficiency insights","authors":"Rui Xie , Xiaojuun Deng , Yuannxing Yin , Dilafruz Fayziyeva , Elchin Eyvazov , Fu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the economic viability of high-performance cycle systems through a comprehensive analysis of energy and cost efficiency factors in thermal energy storage technologies. Our research identifies significant cost-benefit advantages of innovative design approaches over conventional systems in industrial applications. Through rigorous economic modeling and performance testing, we analyzed operational efficiency, capital investment requirements, and long-term financial returns. Results demonstrate that the advanced designs deliver substantial economic benefits by reducing operational times by 33.2%, enhancing energy utilization rates by 48.4%, and improving overall system efficiency by 8.3% compared to traditional approaches. Optimized system configurations further enhanced performance metrics and cost-effectiveness. Our economic analysis reveals significant potential for operational cost reduction and energy efficiency improvements in industrial applications, with projected payback periods shortened by approximately one-third. These findings underscore the economic viability of implementing innovative designs in high-performance cycle systems, with implications for reducing operational costs, improving return on investment, and enhancing market competitiveness in energy-intensive industries. Future research directions include scaling applications for various industrial sectors and quantifying broader economic and sustainability impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101675"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143714692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Renewable energy market in Africa: Opportunities, progress, challenges, and future prospects","authors":"Temidayo Alex-Oke , Olusola Bamisile , Dongsheng Cai , Humphrey Adun , Chiagoziem Chima Ukwuoma , Samaila Ado Tenebe , Qi Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition to renewable energy is crucial for addressing Africa's rising energy demand while fostering sustainable development. With abundant renewable resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, Africa is uniquely positioned to play a key role in the global low carbon energy transition. This study investigates the role of renewable energy in supporting Africa's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its alignment with the Paris Agreement's climate goals. Using a combination of empirical methodologies, including market analysis and cost-benefit evaluations, we assess the potential of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate energy poverty, and promote economic growth. Our findings show that harnessing just 25 % of Africa's renewable energy potential could significantly reduce energy poverty, contributing to a sustainable, low-carbon future. Furthermore, we highlights the declining costs of renewable energy technologies, driven by innovation, economies of scale, and market dynamics, making renewable energy increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. This has led to lower consumer energy prices, improved market attractiveness, and enhanced profitability for renewable energy investments. By examining the socio-economic impacts of renewable energy adoption, the study provides key insights into the market dynamics, investment potential, and policy implications for accelerating Africa's renewable energy transition. Our findings suggest that targeted investments in renewable energy could drive a just transition, improve energy access, and foster long-term socio-economic development across the continent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101700"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143714694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"International mineral trade-cleaner energy transformation nexus: How decomposed mineral prices and geopolitical events act?","authors":"Md. Monirul Islam , Oleg Mariev , Kazi Sohag","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the global transition to cleaner energy, the role of international mineral trade, which is subject to price volatility and geopolitical competition, is crucial yet complex. This study investigates the dynamic correlation between clusters of international mineral trade (both exports and imports) and decomposed mineral price shocks (trend and cyclical), as well as geopolitical risks (threats and acts) across the globe. We employ the wavelet local multiple correlation (WLMC) technique to analyze the non-stationary and non-normal features of monthly data from January 1990 to December 2021. Our findings reveal a positive correlation between the imports and exports of mineral goods and their decomposed price dynamics, as well as geopolitical events. Notably, this correlation is reversed when constructing an indicator such as international mineral trade (imports and exports)-driven cleaner energy transformation using the linearization power function. This suggests that the interactive connectivity of global cleaner energy installation capacity and international mineral trade is negatively correlated with mineral price volatility and the diverse patterns of geopolitics. However, we recommend the adoption of effective hedging strategies for mineral pricing issues and data-based risk mitigation schemas to counter geopolitical turmoil in the context of international mineral trade and clean energy transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101699"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143714693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmad K. ALAhmad , Renuga Verayiah , Hussain Shareef , Agileswari Ramasamy , Saleh Ba-swaimi
{"title":"Enhancing renewable energy integration through strategic stochastic optimization planning of distributed energy resources (Wind/PV/SBESS/MBESS) in distribution systems","authors":"Ahmad K. ALAhmad , Renuga Verayiah , Hussain Shareef , Agileswari Ramasamy , Saleh Ba-swaimi","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a comprehensive long-term stochastic mixed-integer single-level single-stage nonlinear multi-objective optimization planning model for integrating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), including wind Distributed Generations (DGs), photovoltaic (PV) DGs, stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems (SBESSs), and mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems (MBESSs), over a 10-year project horizon. The model evaluates the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hybrid SBESS-MBESS systems to enhance Renewable Energy Source (RES) integration within the electric power distribution system (DS) while addressing technical, environmental, and economic objectives. It minimizes total expected planning, operation, and emission costs, power loss, and voltage deviation by determining the optimal locations and capacities for wind DGs, PV DGs, and SBESSs, and by establishing a monthly transportation schedule for MBESSs. The optimization also coordinates the charging and discharging profiles of SBESSs and MBESSs to maximize green energy utilization and minimize system costs. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) models uncertainties in wind speed, solar irradiation, load power, and energy prices, while the backward reduction method (BRM) mitigates computational complexities. A hybrid optimization approach combining the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGAII) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) with a decision-making algorithm is proposed to solve the planning problem. Simulations on a 69-bus DS demonstrate significant reductions in long-term costs (37.72 %), power loss (41.58 %), and voltage deviation (47.07 %) achieved by the hybrid SBESS-MBESS system compared to other configurations, underscoring its potential to enhance renewable energy integration and system performance in transitioning energy systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101683"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lars Skjelbred Nygaard, Emil Dimanchev, Magnus Korpås
{"title":"Power system planning in the North Sea area under demand uncertainty and risk aversion","authors":"Lars Skjelbred Nygaard, Emil Dimanchev, Magnus Korpås","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electricity demand is increasingly difficult to predict due the uncertain timing and scale of future electrification, data center consumption, and electrolytic hydrogen adoption. This poses a new source of risk for power system planning. Though planners are often risk-averse, energy system modeling commonly takes a risk-neutral perspective. Here, we consider the implications of risk aversion concerning demand uncertainty for the optimal planning of power systems surrounding the North Sea. This region is both facing considerable demand uncertainty and expected to see substantial new investment in electricity generation capacity. In our exploratory experiments, optimal risk-averse planning under demand uncertainty features a higher share of renewable and storage investment by 2040, our planning horizon, compared to risk-neutral planning. As a result, risk-averse planning also leads to lower expected CO<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> emissions in our case study. Overall, our results suggest that renewables and storage can provide a hedge against demand uncertainty.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101664"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143714695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fei-Wen Huang , Chi-Wei Su , Shengyao Yang , Meng Qin , Weike Zhang
{"title":"How do economic policy uncertainty and geopolitical risk affect oil imports? Evidence from China and India","authors":"Fei-Wen Huang , Chi-Wei Su , Shengyao Yang , Meng Qin , Weike Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To ensure energy security for emerging economies, it is imperative to explore the impacts of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and geopolitical risk (GPR) on oil imports in China (COI) and India (IOI). An innovative wavelet quantile correlation framework is devised to dissect EPU-COI, GPR-COI, EPU-IOI, and GPR-IOI relations across quantiles and frequencies, utilising monthly data from January 2010 to December 2023. The relations between EPU and oil imports are initially positive due to inflexible plans, negative medium-term market readjustments, and favourable long-term diversification. GPR-COI relations are initially positive from inertia and price hikes, but they turn negative mid-term due to high prices, panic, and supply issues, reversing with diversification and regained confidence. GPR and IOI negatively correlate in the short-medium term but positively in the medium-long term. In comparison, GPR's negative impact on COI is more pronounced than EPU's, and the former's effect on IOI is quicker. EPU's impact on IOI is more detrimental than COI, while GPR's influence on IOI is faster. The study also uses wavelet quantile partial correlation to enhance robustness. Based on these findings, China and India will be offered crucial advice to stabilize oil imports amidst a complex economic and political backdrop.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101695"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Are advancements in renewable energy technologies being driven by the digital economy and financial structure? An overview of the key eight nations","authors":"Yuwen Wu , Liu Ziqi","doi":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esr.2025.101679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study addresses the critical need to understand how digital economy advancements and financial structures influence renewable energy technological innovations (RETI) in the eight major (M − 8) countries over the period from 2011 to 2022. Utilizing simultaneous quantile regression (SQR) and principal component analysis (PCA), the research aims to explore the dynamic relationship between RETI and the digital economy, with a focus on the mediating effects of financial and governance frameworks. The results reveal that a 1 % increase in the digital economy can lead to a 0.425 % boost in RETI development, while improvements in financial systems contribute an average of 1.396 % to RETI advancement. The study also highlights that the strength of these relationships varies across different quantiles, emphasizing the need for tailored policy interventions. These findings suggest that to effectively support the growth of RETI within the digital economy, it is crucial to implement reforms in economic and governance frameworks. The policy implications point to the importance of integrating financial and digital innovations in strategies aimed at fostering sustainable and innovative energy technologies in the M − 8 countries, guiding policymakers toward maximizing the convergence of these domains for a more sustainable future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11546,"journal":{"name":"Energy Strategy Reviews","volume":"59 ","pages":"Article 101679"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}