Advances in energy system modeling, sector coupling, and emission reduction strategies

The critical need to mitigate climate change brings with it prospects to transform societies globally onto more sustainable pathways. The articles in this special issue of e-Prime - Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy provide timely research advances that support integrated approaches for effective climate mitigation based on the sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems. The articles are organized into three main themes: (1) smart energy systems and sector coupling, (2) Energy Systems Modeling and Analysis, and (3) Emission Reduction Strategies and policies. The Decarbonization and Sector Coupling theme includes articles analyzing electrification and heat pump integration in industrial processes, optimization of nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems, electric vehicle growth projections in Brazil, and impacts on electricity demand and fossil fuel reduction. The Energy Systems Modeling and Analysis theme covers contributions on offshore wind farm design software tools, optimization of future European energy mixes considering risks, climate change impacts on wind resources in the Black Sea region, and visualizations for home electricity monitoring systems. The Resource and Emission Reduction Strategies theme comprises articles evaluating policy instruments for CO₂ utilization, machine learning for projecting passenger vehicle fleet growth in Brazil, and resulting energy and emissions outcomes. Together, these articles provide timely research advances across a range of topics relevant to integrated approaches for climate change mitigation through sustainable energy, water and environment systems. The articles emphasize opportunities for decarbonization, renewable energy deployment, resource efficiency, and emission reductions across multiple sectors and systems.