Flexible Energy Scheduling through the Coupled Design of Renewable Energy Systems and Advanced Thermal Storage Technologies

The rapid expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar has introduced significant variability and uncertainty into modern energy systems. Achieving reliable and efficient energy utilization under these conditions requires enhanced system flexibility and advanced energy management strategies. Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies, including phase change materials (PCMs) and thermochemical energy storage (TCES), offer promising pathways to decouple energy generation from demand by storing surplus renewable energy and releasing it when needed. Recent advances in TES materials, storage module design, and system integration—including heat and mass transfer enhancement, encapsulation/containment solutions, and durability improvement— have opened new opportunities for coordinating renewable energy with thermal storage across diverse application scenarios, such as power generation, industrial heat supply, and building energy systems. However, systematic frameworks that integrate materials innovation with storage device engineering, energy system design and flexible scheduling /control remain limited.The primary goal of this Research Topic is to address the challenge of coordinating renewable energy generation with advanced thermal energy storage technologies to enable flexible, efficient, and scenario-adaptive energy scheduling. While PCMs and TCES materials provide high energy density and long-duration storage potential, their full value can only be realized through effective integration with renewable energy systems and intelligent operational strategies. This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between material-level developments and system-level energy management by exploring coordinated design, control, and scheduling approaches. Contributions are expected to advance the understanding of how TES materials, conversion mechanisms, and energy system architectures can work synergistically to accommodate renewable intermittency, improve energy utilization efficiency, and enhance system resilience. By addressing multiple application scenarios and operational constraints, this Research Topic seeks to support the development of next-generation flexible energy systems that are technically robust, economically viable, and scalable.Relevant themes for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to: - Design, synthesis, and characterization of phase change and thermochemical energy storage materials;- Integration of TES with renewable electricity or heat sources;- Coupled electro-thermal conversion and storage mechanisms;- Multi-scale modeling, optimization, and advanced control strategies;- Flexible energy scheduling under variable demand and supply conditions;- Application-oriented case studies in buildings, industry, district heating/cooling, and integrated energy systems;- Techno-economic and lifecycle assessment of coordinated renewable–TES systems- Sorption-based thermal energy storage (adsorption/absorption) and hybrid TES concepts aligned with long-duration storage needs;- Storage module/reactor design, encapsulation/containment, compatibility and corrosion, and heat/mass transfer enhancement.Contributions addressing multi-scale perspectives, from materials to system operation, are particularly encouraged. We welcome original research articles, review papers, and perspective or concept papers that provide theoretical, experimental, numerical, or techno-economic insights. Interdisciplinary studies that link materials science, energy systems engineering, and energy management are especially encouraged. Topic editors: Qiqiu Huang, Jiatong Jiang, Fulin Kong Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77625/flexible-energy-scheduling-through-the-coupled-design-of-renewable-energy-systems-and-advanced-thermal-storage-technologies