A Visual and Strategic Framework for Integrated Renewable Energy Systems: Bridging Technological, Economic, Environmental, Social, and Regulatory Dimensions

Kenneth Chukwuma Nwala (), Moses Jeremiah Barasa Kabeyi and Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju
Additional contact information
Kenneth Chukwuma Nwala: Department of Industrial Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa
Moses Jeremiah Barasa Kabeyi: Department of Industrial Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa
Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju: Institute of System Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-36

Abstract: Renewable energy integration is no longer a solely technical endeavor; it necessitates a multidimensional transformation that spans technological, economic, environmental, social, and regulatory dimensions. This review presents a visual and strategic framework for addressing the complex challenges of integrating solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy systems. The objective is to redefine traditional approaches by linking specific integration barriers to tailored strategies and measurable outcomes. The study uses comparative analysis, regional case studies, and a variety of visual tools—such as flowcharts, spider charts, and challenge–strategy–outcome maps—to spatially express interdependencies and trade-offs. These tools enable stakeholders to determine the best integration pathways based on performance measures, regional restrictions, and system synergies. The results reveal that visual mapping not only clarifies complex system dynamics, but also enhances stakeholder collaboration by translating technical data into accessible formats. The framework supports adaptive planning, smart grid adoption, and community-centered microgrid development. In conclusion, the study provides a forward-looking strategy for developing resilient, inclusive, and intelligent renewable energy systems. It highlights that future energy resilience will be built on integrated, regionally informed, and socially inclusive design, with technology, policy, and community engagement combined to drive sustainable energy transitions.

Keywords: renewable energy integration; visual mapping framework; strategic planning; system resilience; community-centered energy system; stakeholder engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/20/5468/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/20/5468/ (text/html)

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:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:20:p:5468-:d:1773380

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Cassie Shen

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().