IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i9p2149-d1639754.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Smart Grids and Sustainability: The Impact of Digital Technologies on the Energy Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Paola Campana

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Riccardo Censi

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Roberto Ruggieri

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Carlo Amendola

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Smart Grids (SG) represent a key element in the energy transition, facilitating the integration of renewable and conventional energy sources through the use of advanced digital technologies. This study analyzes the main research trends related to SG, energy efficiency, and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart energy management. Following the PRISMA protocol, 179 relevant academic articles indexed in the Scopus database were selected and analyzed using VOSviewer software, version 1.6.20, to identify the main thematic clusters. The results reveal a converging research focus on energy flow optimization, renewable energy integration, and the adoption of digital technologies—including cybersecurity solutions—to ensure grid efficiency, security, and resilience. The study confirms that digitalization acts as a key enabler for building a more sustainable and reliable energy system, aligned with the objectives of the European Union and the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The contribution of this work lies in its integrated approach to the analysis of digital technologies, linking the themes of efficiency, resilience, and infrastructure security, in order to provide valuable insights for future research and sustainable energy policy development.

Suggested Citation

  • Paola Campana & Riccardo Censi & Roberto Ruggieri & Carlo Amendola, 2025. "Smart Grids and Sustainability: The Impact of Digital Technologies on the Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2149-:d:1639754
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2149/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2149/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2017. "Citation-based clustering of publications using CitNetExplorer and VOSviewer," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(2), pages 1053-1070, May.
    2. Shi, Zhongtuo & Yao, Wei & Li, Zhouping & Zeng, Lingkang & Zhao, Yifan & Zhang, Runfeng & Tang, Yong & Wen, Jinyu, 2020. "Artificial intelligence techniques for stability analysis and control in smart grids: Methodologies, applications, challenges and future directions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    3. Raminta Pranckutė, 2021. "Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus: The Titans of Bibliographic Information in Today’s Academic World," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-59, March.
    4. Pablo-Romero, María P. & Sánchez-Braza, Antonio & Galyan, Anna, 2021. "Renewable energy use for electricity generation in transition economies: Evolution, targets and promotion policies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Enrique Orduña-Malea & Rodrigo Costas, 2021. "Link-based approach to study scientific software usage: the case of VOSviewer," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(9), pages 8153-8186, September.
    6. Hainsch, Karlo & Löffler, Konstantin & Burandt, Thorsten & Auer, Hans & Crespo del Granado, Pedro & Pisciella, Paolo & Zwickl-Bernhard, Sebastian, 2022. "Energy transition scenarios: What policies, societal attitudes, and technology developments will realize the EU Green Deal?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    7. Hua, Weiqi & Chen, Ying & Qadrdan, Meysam & Jiang, Jing & Sun, Hongjian & Wu, Jianzhong, 2022. "Applications of blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies for enabling prosumers in smart grids: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    8. Wadim Strielkowski & Dalia Streimikiene & Alena Fomina & Elena Semenova, 2019. "Internet of Energy (IoE) and High-Renewables Electricity System Market Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.
    9. Umar, Abdullah & Kumar, Deepak & Ghose, Tirthadip, 2022. "Blockchain-based decentralized energy intra-trading with battery storage flexibility in a community microgrid system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    10. Xinxin Wang & Zeshui Xu & Marinko Škare, 2020. "A bibliometric analysis of Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja (2007–2019)," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 865-886, January.
    11. Revesz, Akos & Jones, Phil & Dunham, Chris & Davies, Gareth & Marques, Catarina & Matabuena, Rodrigo & Scott, Jim & Maidment, Graeme, 2020. "Developing novel 5th generation district energy networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    12. Dehdarian, Amin & Tucci, Christopher L, 2021. "A complex network approach for analyzing early evolution of smart grid innovations in Europe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    13. Jie, Huo & Khan, Irfan & Alharthi, Majed & Zafar, Muhammad Wasif & Saeed, Asif, 2023. "Sustainable energy policy, socio-economic development, and ecological footprint: The economic significance of natural resources, population growth, and industrial development," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Riccardo Censi & Paola Campana & Anna Maria Tarola & Roberto Ruggieri, 2025. "Digital Pathways Toward Sustainability in Agri-Food Waste: A Systematic Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Peng Zhang & Jun Liu & Lihong Guo & Xiaofei Wang, 2025. "Research on the Measurement and Enhancement Pathways of the Coupled and Coordinated Development of Digitalization and Greening in the Energy Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-30, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Riccardo Censi & Paola Campana & Anna Maria Tarola & Roberto Ruggieri, 2025. "Digital Pathways Toward Sustainability in Agri-Food Waste: A Systematic Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Prodhan Mahbub Ibna Seraj & Blanka Klimova & Rubina Khan, 2024. "Visualizing Research Trends in English Language Teaching (ELT) From 2013 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, May.
    3. Badr Eddine Lebrouhi & Eric Schall & Bilal Lamrani & Yassine Chaibi & Tarik Kousksou, 2022. "Energy Transition in France," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-28, May.
    4. Nash Jett D. G. Reyes & Franz Kevin F. Geronimo & Heidi B. Guerra & Lee-Hyung Kim, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis and Comprehensive Review of Stormwater Treatment Wetlands: Global Research Trends and Existing Knowledge Gaps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, January.
    5. Nwani, Chinazaekpere & Usman, Ojonugwa & Okere, Kingsley Ikechukwu & Bekun, Festus Victor, 2023. "Technological pathways to decarbonisation and the role of renewable energy: A study of European countries using consumption-based metrics," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    6. S. Lacárcel, Francisco Javier & González-Padilla, P. & Matos, Nelson & B. Correia, Marisol, 2024. "Bibliometric measurement of the resource curse and its implication for sustainable development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    7. Nini Johana Marín-Rodríguez & Juan David González-Ruíz & Sergio Botero, 2025. "Towards New Strategies for Investing: Insights on Sustainable Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)," World, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-27, January.
    8. Pablo Ortega Carrasco & Fabio Iannone & Vera Ferrón Vílchez & Francesco Testa, 2025. "Green public procurement as an effective way for sustainable development: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2364-2391, April.
    9. Francesco Bellini & Paola Campana & Riccardo Censi & Matteo Di Renzo & Anna Maria Tarola, 2024. "Energy Communities in the Transition to Renewable Sources: Innovative Models of Energy Self-Sufficiency through Organic Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Shome, Samik & Hassan, M. Kabir & Verma, Sushma & Panigrahi, Tushar Ranjan, 2023. "Impact investment for sustainable development: A bibliometric analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 770-800.
    11. Gabriela Badareu & Nicoleta Mihaela Doran & Silvia Puiu & Roxana Maria Bădîrcea & Alina Georgiana Manta, 2023. "Is the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment and Energy Sufficiently Debated Nowadays?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-17, April.
    12. Emmanuel Jeffrey Dzage & György Norbert Szabados, 2024. "The Relationship of Corporate Social Responsibility with Business Performance—A Bibliometric Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-25, March.
    13. Tianrong Xu & Nikmatul Adha Nordin & Ainoriza Mohd Aini, 2022. "Urban Green Space and Subjective Well-Being of Older People: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-29, October.
    14. Benjamin Tawiah & Emmanuel A. Ofori & Fei Bin, 2023. "Scientometric Review of Sustainable Fire-Resistant Polysaccharide-Based Composite Aerogels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-34, August.
    15. Alam, Md Morshed & Hossain, M.J. & Habib, Md Ahasan & Arafat, M.Y. & Hannan, M.A., 2025. "Artificial intelligence integrated grid systems: Technologies, potential frameworks, challenges, and research directions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    16. Mao Zhao & Wei Liu & Abu Naser Mohammad Saif & Bo Wang & Rasheda Akter Rupa & K. M. Anwarul Islam & S. M. Masudur Rahman & Nusrat Hafiz & Rehnuma Mostafa & Mohammad Anisur Rahman, 2023. "Blockchain in Online Learning: A Systematic Review and Bibliographic Visualization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-22, January.
    17. Badr Moutik & John Summerscales & Jasper Graham-Jones & Richard Pemberton, 2023. "Life Cycle Assessment Research Trends and Implications: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-45, September.
    18. Nuno Miguel de Matos Torre & Valerio Antonio Pamplona Salomon & Luis Ernesto Quezada, 2025. "Statistical Tools Application for Literature Review: A Case on Maintenance Management Decision-Making in the Steel Industry," Stats, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-20, September.
    19. Badr Eddine Lebrouhi & Éric Schall & Bilal Lamrani & Yassine Chaibi & Tarik Kousksou, 2022. "Energy Transition in France," Post-Print hal-03716839, HAL.
    20. Adam Dominiak & Artur Rusowicz, 2022. "Change of Fossil-Fuel-Related Carbon Productivity Index of the Main Manufacturing Sectors in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2149-:d:1639754. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.