Energy digitalization: Main categories, applications, merits, and barriers

Increased consumption of fossil fuels has contributed to a rise in abnormal weather conditions. Utilizing renewable energy sources is one of the most effective methods for combating global warming. The intermittent nature of the majority of renewable energy sources could be mitigated through accurate weather forecasting and the integration of various renewable energy sources with energy storage systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital twins, and other digital technologies have the potential to optimize energy production, storage, and consumption. Through these methods, the energy system can be made more efficient, manageable, and adaptable. This editorial discusses the energy digitalization in terms of prevalent technologies, potential applications, obstacles, and challenges. This editorial also discusses the research presented at the 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection SEEP2021 at Boku University, Austria.