Next-Generation Multi-Energy Systems for the Sustainable Energy Transition

The global transition toward low-carbon development is accelerating the deployment of next-generation multi-energy systems that integrate renewable and emerging energy technologies. However, the growing penetration of renewable resources introduces significant variability, uncertainty, and operational complexity, creating new challenges for the coordinated operation and management of integrated energy systems. Energy conversion pathways—including hydropower generation, electrochemical energy storage and conversion, and hydrogen production and utilization—are becoming essential components of modern sustainable energy infrastructures.Recent advances in digital modeling, intelligent control, and system-level optimization enable more accurate monitoring, regulation, and coordination of interconnected energy systems. Developing robust methodologies for energy conversion, system modeling, and control is therefore essential to support the evolution of resilient, efficient, and flexible multi-energy networks.Hydropower systems, electrochemical energy conversion technologies, and hydrogen-based energy pathways represent key pillars of modern clean energy infrastructures. Despite their technological maturity in specific applications, significant challenges remain in achieving coordinated regulation, dynamic optimization, and large-scale system integration across these diverse energy domains. Variability in renewable generation, fluctuating hydrogen demand, and nonlinear electrochemical processes introduce complexities that require advanced modeling approaches and intelligent control strategies.This Research Topic aims to advance innovative methodologies for energy conversion, system modeling, regulation, and optimal control in next-generation multi-energy systems. Particular attention will be given to hydrogen production through water electrolysis, hydrogen utilization in fuel cells, integrated hydrogen storage systems, and the optimal control of hydropower plants under dynamic operating conditions. This topic contributes to global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by promoting integrated low-carbon energy systems.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, review papers, mini-review papers, and perspective contributions addressing advanced energy conversion and system control in next-generation multi-energy systems. The scope includes, but is not limited to:• Hydrogen production via water electrolysis and its system-level integration;• Fuel cells and hydrogen utilization technologies;• Modeling, operation, and optimal control of hydropower systems;• Electrochemical energy conversion and performance optimization;• Hydrogen production–storage–utilization pathways;• System identification, digital modeling, and predictive control strategies;• Intelligent monitoring and fault diagnosis in integrated energy systems;• Integrated multi-energy systems supporting sustainable and low-carbon energy transitions. Topic editors: Hao Fu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79797/next-generation-multi-energy-systems-for-the-sustainable-energy-transition