Navigating the Renewable Energy Transition: A Systematic Review of Economic and Policy Strategies for Grid Integration, Stability, and Viability

Nohman Khan (), Muhammad Imran Qureshi (), Mohammad Falahat (), Huma Sikandar () and Rohana Bt Sham ()
Additional contact information
Nohman Khan: Strategic Research Institute, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Muhammad Imran Qureshi: Teesside University International Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, TS1 3BX, United Kingdom
Mohammad Falahat: Strategic Research Institute, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Huma Sikandar: Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rohana Bt Sham: Strategic Research Institute, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 2025, vol. 15, issue 4, 709-723

Abstract: Despite extensive research on renewable energy technologies and grid systems, a critical gap persists in understanding the integrated economic and policy frameworks necessary for cost-effective, stable grid operation with high renewable penetration. Current literature remains fragmented across disciplinary boundaries, preventing cohesive strategies that balance technical requirements with economic sustainability. This systematic review synthesizes economic and policy strategies for successful renewable energy integration by examining the intersection between technical challenges, economic viability, and policy framework effectiveness. A multistage analysis adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines combined systematic review methodology with bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Structural Topic Modeling using R. Comprehensive Scopus database search yielded 507 initial documents, systematically filtered to 142 high-quality studies spanning 2014-2024. Bibliometric analysis revealed a decisive shift from technical integration focus (80% in 2014) toward market design and policy frameworks (60% by 2024). Structural Topic Modeling identified three themes: Renewable Energy Integration (37%), Electricity Market Design and Policy (33%), and Energy Storage and Grid Flexibility (30%). Analysis demonstrates successful transitions require technology-specific support mechanisms, market designs compensating flexibility resources for multiple grid services, and adaptive policy frameworks maintaining investment certainty. This research challenges prevailing assumptions about renewable energy barriers, revealing institutional innovation has become more critical than technical solutions. The findings provide the first comprehensive mapping of interdisciplinary research evolution, demonstrating fragmented approaches hinder optimal resource allocation. Future research should prioritize integrated assessment frameworks evaluating strategies across technical, economic, and policy dimensions simultaneously to support comprehensive institutional transformation required for sustainable energy transitions.

Keywords: Renewable Energy Integration; Electricity Market Design; Energy Policy; Grid Stability; Energy Storage; Systematic Review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijeep/article/download/20348/9048 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eco:journ2:v:15:y:2025:i:4:id:20348

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijeep

DOI: 10.32479/ijeep.20348

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy from International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Monica Sinhat ().