Topic: Intelligent Modeling and Optimization for Virtual Power Plants in Complex Energy Systems

As the global energy landscape becomes increasingly decentralized and renewable energy penetration continues to rise, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) have emerged as a promising paradigm for aggregating distributed energy resources and coordinating their operation within complex energy systems. VPPs leverage advanced modeling, optimization, and control techniques to enhance energy efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, while facilitating demand response management, grid integration, and market participation. However, the design and operation of VPPs face significant challenges, including the stochastic nature of renewable generation, multi-objective optimization requirements, coordination of heterogeneous resources, and real-time decision making under uncertainty.

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven and data-centric solutions for intelligent modeling, optimization, and coordinated operation of VPPs within multi-source, multi-domain complex energy systems. It seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of current trends and future directions in this rapidly evolving field. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

● Intelligent Modeling and Simulation of VPPs;

● Optimization Algorithms for VPP Operation and Scheduling;

● Integration of Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems;

● Real-Time Control and DecisionMaking under Uncertainty;

● Multi-Agent Systems for Distributed Energy Resource Coordination;

● Market Participation Strategies and Demand Response Optimization;

● Cyber-Physical Security and Communication in VPPs;

● Data-Driven Approaches and Machine Learning Applications in Energy Systems;

● Energy Management in Smart Grids and Microgrids;

● Applications of VPPs in Complex Energy Systems.

Academics, research students, and professionals are invited to submit original research articles. Extended conference papers with at least 50% new content are also welcome.

Virtual power plants (VPPs), optimization, control, artificial intelligence (AI), complex energy systems