Smart Energy Systems

The 2021 World Energy Outlook report published by the International Energy Agency highlighted the gap between current energy usage trends and what is needed to limit rising global temperatures. While much focus has been on transitioning to sustainable energy sources, the efficiency of power supply networks has an important role in determining overall energy usage. The integration of energy production, transmission, and user demand through information and communication technologies is a proposed method for improving overall energy network efficiency. These ‘smart grids’ gather information to automatically coordinate between user demand and supply, and facilitate the decentralization of energy generation to the local and even household scale.

This call for papers aims to showcase the latest research in smart grid technologies, including information technologies, device integration, distribution methods, and data mining, all towards improving the efficiency of energy supply networks. We welcome submissions to this call of any article type in scope for PLOS ONE – research articles, lab protocols, study protocols, registered report protocols and registered reports.