A Review of Distributed Energy Systems: Technologies, Classification, and Applications

Qun Cheng, Zhaonan Zhang, Yanwei Wang () and Lidong Zhang
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Qun Cheng: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Zhaonan Zhang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Yanwei Wang: School of Economics and Management, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Lidong Zhang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-31

Abstract: Climate change is worsening across the region, exacerbating the energy crisis, while traditional centralized energy systems struggle to meet people’s needs. Globally, countries are actively responding to this dual challenge of climate change and energy demand. In September 2020, China introduced a dual carbon target of “Carbon peak and carbon neutrality”. Since then, it has consistently encouraged and supported innovative research on carbon reduction and energy conservation through its resource policies. Distributed energy systems (DESs) are gaining favor in various countries due to their promising applications in energy and environmental realms, particularly in light of current imperatives for energy conservation, emission reduction, and relevant policies. This paper provides a retrospective analysis of recent research and applications of DESs, conducts a systematic classification and statistical overview of DES implementations, and offers insightful recommendations and future prospects for the advancement of DESs.

Keywords: distributed energy system; renewable energy; energy applications; system optimization; hybrid energy systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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