Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-05-08DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100250
Pauli Hiltunen, Miika Rämä
{"title":"District heating providing flexibility for the North European electricity system: The impact of demand response and heat storages","authors":"Pauli Hiltunen, Miika Rämä","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing share of renewable energy in the power sector has led to increasingly volatile electricity prices in the Northern European power markets. The district heating systems in Finland will see a rapid expansion of heat pumps and electric boilers. Thermal energy storages enable flexible heat production, when it is cheap. Thermal energy storages can also help combined heat-and-power production by decoupling the electricity production from the heat demand. In this study, North European energy system model was used to study the impact of increasing heat storage and demand response capacity in Finland's highly electrified district heating systems on the electricity system flexibility.</div><div>The results show that the impact of the additional heat storages on the annual production mix is only marginal with relative changes of less than 0.6%. The most significant impact was on the production of combined heat-and-power and electric boilers. The use of electric boilers increased especially in the climate year scenario of 2016, where the electricity production costs were highest. The increased flexibility can be seen in the terms of decreased ramping of hydropower and electricity imports. At the same time, the ramping of combined heat-and-power and electric boilers increased. Tank thermal energy storages contributed to this more. The use of demand response differed from the tank thermal energy storages as it was used more for short term adjustments of power demand with lower charging and discharging rates. In the end, the impact on the entire energy system remained small.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100250"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Deep learning surrogate model to explain decision variable synergies in energy system modelling","authors":"Matteo Giacomo Prina , Carlo Pelizzoni , Mackenzie Judson , Madeleine McPherson , Andrea Menapace , Giampaolo Manzolini , Wolfram Sparber","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Energy system models are powerful tools for planning the low-carbon transition. They identify optimal technology portfolios but rarely explain why certain combinations outperform others. Understanding decision variable synergies across multiple sectors remains a key gap in the literature. This study addresses that gap with a two-stage methodology applied to the Piemonte region (Italy) for 2050, using 17 decision variables and two objective functions (total annual costs and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions). In the first stage, an expert-based analysis of six electrification technologies is conducted using the EPLANopt model. It reveals a fundamental behavioral dichotomy: heat pumps reduce CO<sub>2</sub> independently of grid decarbonization, while Power-to-X technologies require an effective renewable share above approximately 50% to yield a net environmental benefit. In the second stage, a deep learning surrogate model trained on thousands EnergyPLAN simulations enables systematic sensitivity and interaction analysis across all 17 variables. Explainability artificial intelligence methods identify solar capacity and synthetic gas as the dominant variables. Pairwise analysis across all 136 variable combinations reveals a dominant PV surplus–Power-to-Gas valorisation chain. Third-order analysis shows that battery storage acts as a critical mediator between PV generation and Power-to-Gas conversion, producing emergent synergies that cannot be decomposed into pairwise effects. These findings provide a physically interpretable, data-driven basis for sequencing technology deployments in regional energy planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100246"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147850455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-05-12DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100249
Nour-eddine Id Omar, Alexandre Lê-Agopyan, Fabrizio Sossan
{"title":"Control and scheduling of behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems for stacked grid and building services","authors":"Nour-eddine Id Omar, Alexandre Lê-Agopyan, Fabrizio Sossan","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100249","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100249","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper proposes and experimentally validates a two-stage scheduling and control strategy for a behind-the-meter battery energy storage system (BESS) delivering both local and grid services. Considered services are the maximization of PV self-consumption, peak-load reduction, and secondary frequency control (aFRR). The day-ahead stage allocates battery capacity across local and balancing services using a scenario based approach, reflecting potential remuneration from aFRR participation without committing to fixed power availability; in the real-time stage, BESS set-points are computed in a periodic fashion at a high time resolution based on updated information on balancing prices, net load realization and BESS state of charge. The strategy is experimentally validated on a building at the Energypolis Campus of HES-SO Valais (Sion, Switzerland), which exhibits a peak power demand of 300 kW and is equipped with a 264 kWh/140 kW lithium-ion BESS. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in scheduling and actuating the provision of both behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter services.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100249"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-25DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100245
Nicholas Tedjosantoso , Arne Speerforck , Torben Warnecke , Hans Schäfers , Gerwald Lichtenberg
{"title":"Tensor-based modeling framework for district heating pipes","authors":"Nicholas Tedjosantoso , Arne Speerforck , Torben Warnecke , Hans Schäfers , Gerwald Lichtenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>District heating network simulation faces a fundamental computational challenge: traditional nonlinear models become intractable at large scales due to the curse of dimensionality, while linear models cannot accurately represent the nonlinear dynamics essential for district heating systems. Tensor-based methods have demonstrated effectiveness in modeling heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as local heating systems by providing a scalable compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency, yet their application to district heating networks is first described in this paper. This work applies multilinear time-invariant (MTI) modeling using a tensor-based framework for scalable representations of district heating networks.</div><div>Tensor and multilinear functions efficiently represent the governing equations and their nonlinear relationships, especially the quadratic pressure-loss relationships defined by the Darcy-Weisbach equation and nonlinear friction factors across flow regimes without causing an exponential growth in model complexity. Binary variables model discontinuous transitions between laminar and turbulent flow, maintaining computational tractability while preserving physical accuracy. The tensor structure inherently avoids the curse of dimensionality that constrains conventional approaches by factorization. Benchmarking against established models on a small network shows minimal deviations alongside considerable memory reductions, demonstrating the potential of tensor-based methods for efficient simulation and optimization of large-scale district heating networks and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and advanced control strategies essential for modern energy-efficient systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147798056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-05-26DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100252
Lissy Langer , Anne Neumann , Benjamin Fram , Mette Bjørndal
{"title":"Regulatory instruments for emerging hydrogen and low-carbon fuel markets: The case of shipping","authors":"Lissy Langer , Anne Neumann , Benjamin Fram , Mette Bjørndal","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100252","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100252","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper provides an up-to-date overview of legislation focused on the development of markets for hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels in the European shipping sector. We discuss the physical properties of a selection of these fuels and the current technical and economic hurdles they face for wider adoption in the shipping sector. These attributes, which strongly influence production, transport, and storage costs for each fuel, will engender different market architectures depending on which fuels prevail. Drawing upon lessons from the natural gas industry, we offer insights about economic regulations that will encourage competition and the efficient utilization of infrastructure across these potential market architectures. Given the uncertain future of markets for low-carbon shipping fuels, we encourage policymakers to think proactively about economic regulations and consider adjustments as these markets come into sharper focus in the coming years.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100252"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-05-29DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100253
Wang Jialing , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Yueyuan , Ma Yuanyuan , Zhang Rong , Yang Peng , Qi Haijie , Xie Shan , Zhao Yingru
{"title":"Optimization design of an energy storage-electric vehicle collaborative multi-energy complementary modular energy supply system for high photovoltaic penetration","authors":"Wang Jialing , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Yueyuan , Ma Yuanyuan , Zhang Rong , Yang Peng , Qi Haijie , Xie Shan , Zhao Yingru","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100253","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100253","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing penetration of photovoltaic (PV) generation has intensified the temporal mismatch between energy supply and demand in park-level energy systems. However, the coordinated planning value of energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs) in high-PV building clusters, especially the trade-off between system and user costs, remains insufficiently quantified. This study develops an optimization model for an energy storage–EV coordinated multi-energy complementary modular energy supply system considering PV output uncertainty. Typical days and multiple weather scenarios are used to describe PV variability, and a bi-objective framework is formulated to minimize the system net present cost (NPC) and EV user NPC while jointly optimizing equipment capacities and hourly operation. EVs are aggregated as a bidirectional virtual storage unit through vehicle-to-grid to enhance flexibility against PV fluctuations. A case study of a building cluster in western Inner Mongolia is conducted. The results show that the coordinated scenario improves regulation capability and PV utilization. The PV utilization rate reaches 99.51%, compared with 93.69% and 91.90% in two non-coordinated benchmarks. The system NPC is 33,856.71×10<sup>4</sup> ¥, which is 279.62×10<sup>4</sup> ¥ and 617.08×10<sup>4</sup> ¥ lower than the benchmarks, respectively. Carbon emissions are reduced by 14,903.05 t and 13,946.70 t.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100253"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-06-02DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100254
Constantin Völzel, Leonhard Göhler, Stefan Lechner
{"title":"An energy and economic comparison of air-source 5GDHC networks with alternative technologies in existing districts","authors":"Constantin Völzel, Leonhard Göhler, Stefan Lechner","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100254","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100254","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>5th generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) networks have experienced a vast boost in newly built residential districts. High shares of cooling demands as waste heat sources to the network and correspondingly high demand overlaps are often reported as key factors for their feasibility. For a roll out of the concept of 5GDHC networks into heating-dominated existing building stock, technical and non-technical requirements apply which may not be valid in newly built districts. In addition, shares of cooling demands as waste heat sources to the network and correspondingly high demand overlaps are most often not present in heating-dominated climates and residential areas. (i) A summary of technical requirements for 5GDHC networks in existing districts is given which need to be met or at least considered in its planning. (ii) In a simulation-based techno-economic analysis a 5GDHC system is compared to an insulated 4th generation district heating (4GDH) network and individual, decentralized air-source heat pumps at varied linear heat density. All examined systems rely on ambient air as the main heat source. Besides the line density, varied input parameters comprise the proportion of cooling demand and the installed PV capacity in rural and municipal districts. 5GDHC networks attain lower electricity imports than 4GDH networks even in absence of continuously available environmental heat sources other than ambient air, PV generation or elevated space cooling demands. Economic advantages over 4GDH networks in the defined setup are observed for low line densities in both district characteristics under the specified cost structure and modelling assumptions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100254"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100226
Vladimir Z. Gjorgievski, Antun Pfeifer, Brian Vad Mathiesen
{"title":"Insights on flexibility, efficiency and citizen participation in the energy transition from the 2024 SDEWES Conferences","authors":"Vladimir Z. Gjorgievski, Antun Pfeifer, Brian Vad Mathiesen","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since the first Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) in Dubrovnik in 2002, the SDEWES conference series has served as a platform for global scientists and others interested in sustainable development to share research and discuss current advancements, future directions, and priorities. A key challenge in the coming decades is the decarbonisation of the energy sector and tackling it requires a holistic approach based on an integrated analysis of electricity, heating, cooling, transport, water, buildings, waste, industry, and agriculture systems. This topic is at the core of SDEWES Conferences, which have maintained a high publishing standard with over 2408 SDEWES papers published in special issues of leading scientific journals, including Smart Energy. In 2024, three SDEWES conferences took place – the 4th Latin American Conference on SDEWES, 14–17 January 2024 (Viña del Mar, Chile), the 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on SDEWES, 2–5 April 2024 (Gold Coast, Australia) and the 19th SDEWES Conference 2024, 8–12 September 2024 (Rome, Italy), bringing together leading researchers from 5 continents. The special issue includes selected works from a pool of 700+ papers spanning across the thematical landscape of sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems, including topics such as energy sector coupling, high penetration of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and district heating and cooling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100226"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-20DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100244
Nicollo Moeono-Alaiasa , Xavier Rixhon , Francesco Baldi , Martin Atkins , Michael Walmsley , Tupuivao Junior Vaiaso
{"title":"Scenario-based energy system planning for Samoa's clean energy transition to 2050","authors":"Nicollo Moeono-Alaiasa , Xavier Rixhon , Francesco Baldi , Martin Atkins , Michael Walmsley , Tupuivao Junior Vaiaso","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100244","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100244","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) face complex energy transition challenges arising from geographic isolation, fossil fuel dependency, land constraints, and climate vulnerability. The study conducts a techno-economic assessment of Samoa's energy system using EnergyScope Typical Days. This study stress-tests the main transition challenges through scenario analysis. Five scenarios spanning 2025–2050 are examined: a Reference Scenario, Increasing Indigenous Primary Energy Supply, Natural Disaster Shock, Emissions-Constrained Decarbonization, and Innovation Shift.</div><div>Results show that under the Innovation Shift scenario, Samoa can achieve over 85% renewable energy in total primary supply by 2050 while accommodating a 45% increase in electricity demand. Biofuels and solar photovoltaics account for up to 38% and 30% of total supply, respectively. Battery energy storage and electric vehicles enhance system resilience under disaster conditions, with up to 819 MWh of distributed EV storage required to meet 10% of national demand. Emissions-constrained pathways demonstrate escalating marginal abatement costs, rising from $470 USD/tCO<sub>2e</sub> in 2030 to over $3000 USD/tCO<sub>2e</sub> by 2050. The Innovation Shift scenario highlights a system characterised by full renewable electricity, extensive electrification, and sector-coupling through biogas and hydrogen, showing that Samoa's long-term transition is shaped more by strategic design choices than by absolute cost values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100244"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147798125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Smart EnergyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-05-08DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2026.100251
Marie Münster , Mathias Berg Rosendal , Emil Skov Martinsen , Magnus Hamann Poulsen , Tobias K.S. Ritschel , Claire Bergaentzlé , Arnauld Guillotin , Ruaridh MacDonald , Drew Story , Brian Vad Mathiesen , Iva Skov , Aloysius Udenweze , Eric Hines
{"title":"Flexible electrolysis in future energy systems - a comparison of perspectives in the US and the EU","authors":"Marie Münster , Mathias Berg Rosendal , Emil Skov Martinsen , Magnus Hamann Poulsen , Tobias K.S. Ritschel , Claire Bergaentzlé , Arnauld Guillotin , Ruaridh MacDonald , Drew Story , Brian Vad Mathiesen , Iva Skov , Aloysius Udenweze , Eric Hines","doi":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100251","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.segy.2026.100251","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The role of hydrogen in future energy systems is uncertain due to a wide range of factors. This paper lays out the current trends, state of the art, and future perspectives for flexible production of an energy carrier that is crucial to the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors. The approach of the paper has been to compare current projects and studies of the technological progress of electrolysis, investment trends and energy system scenarios. This is discussed in a holistic comparison between two large regions: the EU and the US - with focus on hydrogen supply and policies. We find large discrepancies between these regions, especially in expectations of renewable energy and infrastructure build-out. However, in both regions, a significant capacity of electrolysers will be required by 2050 to reach net-zero emissions and in both regions, flexible operation of electrolysers with 3-5000 h of operation is required to facilitate integration of renewable energy. Thus, a large discrepancy between announced projects and future needs is evident, highlighting the demand for policies to encourage investments. Here, a fixed subsidy as proposed in the US may promote fast investments, while auctions as implemented in the EU may provide cost-efficient, but potentially slower.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34738,"journal":{"name":"Smart Energy","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100251"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}