About this Research Topic
The power industry is undergoing profound structural changes driven by the convergence of three key globally accepted trends: decarbonization, decentralization and digitalization (the "3Ds"). Amid mounting concerns regarding climate change and our reliance on fossil fuels, there is an urgent need to decarbonize the energy sector. This imperative, as part of global efforts to mitigate climate change, has led to the proliferation of variable renewable energy technologies and initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency. The deployment of distributed energy generation has emerged as a pivotal element in sustainable energy policies worldwide, essential for achieving emission targets and satisfying the escalating global energy demand. Moreover, it holds the potential to enhance the resilience and affordability of power systems. The advent of economically viable battery storage systems and the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to further expedite their adoption in the near term. As power systems undergo decentralization, the landscape of energy consumers is evolving, characterized by increased dynamism and responsiveness. Nevertheless, decentralization is anticipated to bring about significant disruptions to traditional electricity systems, presenting both opportunities and challenges across energy markets. This impact spans various stakeholders, including operators, regulators, generators, consumers, new market entrants, and network operators, as well as the broader economy of a nation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find an effective way to coordinate all these decentralized resources and integrate them into the power system. In this context, digitalization emerges as a suite of expanding digital solutions aimed at facilitating the integration of decentralized energy sources into the system, while enhancing the reliability and efficiency of power supply.
This Research Topic aims to publish a wide range of papers to develop knowledge, providing a complementary perspective to the current needs of the growing dynamic characteristics of power systems. It encompasses the interaction of three important areas: technologies, business models, and regulatory aspects. In this context, understanding the role of emerging technologies in a changing electricity system and the opportunities and benefits they represent is one of the main focuses of this Research Topic. Additionally, it considers studies focusing on continuous improvements in regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, flexibility and fostering well-functioning markets. Lastly, this Research Topic will also consider studies focusing on identifying the most adequate business models that can realize the added value possible from new technologies and enabling policies.
The Research Topic encourages researchers, experts, and technology developers to submit recent studies including Reviews, Original Research articles, and Perspectives on policy analysis, empirical modeling, experiments, as well as case studies focusing on innovative technologies, market designs and business models that are key components of the power-sector transformation from different regions in the world.
The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to:
- Applications of digital technologies in power systems,
- Regulatory frameworks,
- Energy business models,
- Customer-side business models,
- Energy community business models,
- Recent solutions for consumer engagement, including social science approaches.
This Research Topic aims to publish a wide range of papers to develop knowledge, providing a complementary perspective to the current needs of the growing dynamic characteristics of power systems. It encompasses the interaction of three important areas: technologies, business models, and regulatory aspects. In this context, understanding the role of emerging technologies in a changing electricity system and the opportunities and benefits they represent is one of the main focuses of this Research Topic. Additionally, it considers studies focusing on continuous improvements in regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, flexibility and fostering well-functioning markets. Lastly, this Research Topic will also consider studies focusing on identifying the most adequate business models that can realize the added value possible from new technologies and enabling policies.
The Research Topic encourages researchers, experts, and technology developers to submit recent studies including Reviews, Original Research articles, and Perspectives on policy analysis, empirical modeling, experiments, as well as case studies focusing on innovative technologies, market designs and business models that are key components of the power-sector transformation from different regions in the world.
The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to:
- Applications of digital technologies in power systems,
- Regulatory frameworks,
- Energy business models,
- Customer-side business models,
- Energy community business models,
- Recent solutions for consumer engagement, including social science approaches.
Keywords: Power sector, Energy transformation, Digitalization, Sustainable energy, Energy efficiency
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
