Energy Efficiency and Smart Coordination in Electrified Transport and Smart Grid Systems

The rapid electrification of transportation systems, together with the increasing penetration of renewable energy resources and the development of smart grid technologies, is reshaping modern energy systems into highly interconnected and cyber-physical infrastructures. Electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems, distributed renewable generation, and intelligent charging infrastructures are no longer isolated components but are increasingly integrated within smart grid environments through advanced control and communication frameworks. This convergence creates new opportunities to enhance overall energy efficiency, improve system flexibility, and support the transition toward low-carbon energy and transportation systems.However, the large-scale integration of electrified transport into smart grids also introduces significant challenges. These include increased variability in energy demand, charging congestion, grid impact from fast-charging infrastructure, renewable generation uncertainty, and complex interactions between transportation networks and power systems. Without coordinated planning and operation, these factors may lead to inefficiencies in energy utilization, increased system losses, and reduced operational reliability. Therefore, there is a growing need for integrated approaches that jointly optimize electrified transport systems and smart grids from an energy efficiency perspective.This Research Topic aims to address key challenges and emerging opportunities at the intersection of electrified transport systems, smart grids, and energy efficiency. It focuses on developing system-level methodologies for improving energy utilization, coordinating flexible resources, and optimizing interactions between transportation and power systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on intelligent energy management, smart charging strategies, distributed optimization, and data-driven decision-making methods that enhance both transportation efficiency and grid performance. By integrating perspectives from smart grids and energy efficiency research, this Topic seeks to support the development of highly efficient, flexible, and sustainable electrified transport-energy systems.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Energy-efficient integration of electric vehicles into smart grids;• Smart charging and coordinated charging infrastructure management;• Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and grid-interactive flexibility services;• Distributed energy resource coordination for transport-grid integration;• Energy storage systems supporting electrified transport and grid stability;• Intelligent energy management using artificial intelligence and data-driven methods;• Demand response and load flexibility in electrified transport systems;• Digital twins and real-time optimization for transport-grid systems;• Microgrids enabling efficient electrified transport integration;• Renewable energy integration with transport electrification systems;• System-level energy efficiency optimization across transport and smart grids;• Lifecycle energy efficiency and sustainability assessment of electrified transport systems.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research Articles, Review Articles, Perspective Articles, and Case Studies. Contributions presenting methodological innovations, system-level optimization approaches, real-world applications, and interdisciplinary studies are particularly encouraged. Studies should clearly demonstrate improvements in energy efficiency, system coordination, flexibility, reliability, or sustainability in electrified transport and smart grid systems. Topic editors: Laxman Timilsina, Ali Moghassemi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82808/energy-efficiency-and-smart-coordination-in-electrified-transport-and-smart-grid-systems