AI-Driven Digital Energy Management and Hybrid Microgrids for Smart Port Energy Systems

The transition toward climate-neutral maritime transport is redefining the role of ports within global energy and logistics systems. Driven by policy initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, FuelEU Maritime, and the revised International Maritime Organization greenhouse gas strategy, ports are evolving from passive logistics hubs into digitally coordinated energy ecosystems and critical nodes of emerging smart grid infrastructures. Engineering the “Ports of the Future” therefore requires more than infrastructure electrification; it demands the integration of artificial intelligence, hybrid renewable systems, advanced storage technologies, and predictive energy management within unified digital architectures.This Research Topic brings together advances at the intersection of smart grids, artificial intelligence, and maritime infrastructure engineering. It focuses on AI-driven Digital Energy Management Systems and hybrid microgrid architectures capable of supporting large-scale port electrification, shore-side power deployment, and renewable energy integration while ensuring reliable and flexible interaction with the wider power grid.We invite contributions addressing, but not limited to:• AI-based forecasting models for port energy demand and shore-side electricity profiles;• Digital Shadow and Digital Twin approaches for energy-aware operational management;• Hybrid microgrid architectures integrating photovoltaic, wind, battery storage, and hydrogen systems;• Predictive optimisation algorithms for multi-storage dispatch, peak shaving, and load balancing;• Grid interaction strategies and flexibility service provision for port energy systems;• Energy resilience and reliability under climate variability and demand uncertainty;• Techno-economic modelling and performance evaluation of port electrification pathways;• Policy, regulatory, and standardisation challenges shaping smart port transformation.Particular emphasis is placed on system-level integration rather than isolated component analysis. Submissions may include advanced simulation frameworks, optimisation methodologies, pilot case studies, cross-scale modelling approaches, or interdisciplinary analyses bridging engineering, digital innovation, and governance.This Research Topic aims to define scalable and replicable engineering frameworks for digitally enabled, low-emission port energy ecosystems. By combining advances in artificial intelligence, hybrid microgrid control, and maritime energy systems, the collection seeks to accelerate the development of energy-efficient, resilient, and intelligent smart ports aligned with global decarbonisation goals. Topic editors: Nikolaos Sifakis, George ARAMPATZIS, Nikola Matak Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78890/ai-driven-digital-energy-management-and-hybrid-microgrids-for-smart-port-energy-systems