Under the guidance of China's national strategy of "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality," the country is accelerating the construction of a new type of power system dominated by new energy sources. The large-scale development of distributed photovoltaics and decentralized wind power, the rapid deployment of electrochemical and pumped hydro energy storage, and the widespread integration of new loads such as electric vehicles, 5G base stations, and data centers are driving the evolution of distribution networks and microgrids into integrated energy systems with deep integration of "source-grid-load-storage."

However, distributed resources are characterized by their wide distribution, high randomness, and significant difficulty in observability, measurability, and controllability. These features not only pose severe challenges to the safe and stable operation of distribution networks and microgrids but also lead to prominent issues such as limited capacity for new energy accommodation and a continuously widening gap in system flexibility. As flexibility regulation assets with huge potential, the efficient aggregation, coordinated optimization, and market-oriented utilization of distributed "source-grid-load-storage" resources have become a key pathway to resolving these bottlenecks and supporting the high-quality development of the new power system.

Currently, both academia and industry face three core challenges:

Insufficient precision in modeling and quantification of uncertainties for flexible distributed resources under multi-physics field coupling.

Low efficiency in coordinated control and cluster aggregation of massive heterogeneous resources.

Imperfect market-oriented trading mechanisms and game strategies involving multiple stakeholders.

To systematically review the latest domestic and international research progress, pool wisdom from industry, academia, and research sectors, and provide solid theoretical support, advanced technical solutions, and replicable practical paradigms for the efficient utilization of flexible distributed resources, this journal has established a Special Issue titled "Key Technologies for Efficient Utilization of Flexible Distributed Resources in Distribution and Microgrids."

We have invited Prof. Liu Haoming (Hohai University), Assoc. Prof. Xiao Qian (Tianjin University), Assoc. Prof. Lin Jinjie (Fuzhou University), and Research Assistant Prof. Gao Hongchao (Tsinghua University) to lead this issue. We sincerely invite scholars and experts in related fields to submit their contributions.

1. Scope of the Special Issue

This special issue focuses on key aspects such as modeling, sensing, aggregation, regulation, and market participation of flexible distributed resources in distribution networks and microgrids. Topics include, but are not limited to:

1) Fine modeling and intelligent sensing technologies for flexible distributed resources.

2) Uncertainty quantification, probabilistic modeling, and scenario generation technologies for distributed resources.

3) AI-driven power prediction methods for distributed resources.

4) Coordinated planning and capacity allocation of "source-grid-load-storage" flexibility resources in distribution networks and microgrids.

5) Assessment methods for the carrying capacity of distributed resources in distribution networks and microgrids.

6) Grid-forming control and coordinated optimization of flexible distributed resources.

7) Cluster aggregation control and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) operation technologies for massive flexible distributed resources.

8) Flexibility mining, demand response, and coordinated optimization management of distributed load resources.

9) Emergency response, active support, and coordinated control technologies for flexible distributed resources under extreme weather conditions.

10) Trading mechanisms and bidding strategies for aggregated flexible distributed resources participating in electricity markets.

11) Game theory and optimization operation methods involving multiple stakeholders within distribution networks and microgrids.

12) Applications of emerging information technologies such as AI, Digital Twins, Blockchain, and Edge Intelligence in the modeling, simulation, and optimal control of distributed resources.

2. Submission Guidelines

1) Submitted papers should have clear arguments, highlighted key points, and clear logic, demonstrating innovation, advancement, and practicality.

2) Please prepare your manuscript according to the Distributed Energy Paper Template (downloadable from the journal website: der.tsinghuajournals.com). Technical papers (including theoretical research, numerical simulations, experimental studies, etc.) should preferably not exceed 8,000 words (including figures and tables); review articles should be around 10,000 words and require systematic organization and in-depth commentary.

3) Papers accepted after peer review will receive a formal acceptance notice. Outstanding papers will be published online first; all accepted manuscripts will be published in a special section of the regular issue of Distributed Energy.

4) Authors are responsible for the authenticity and objectivity of the content. Papers must not involve state or institutional secrets.

5) Only original manuscripts that have not been publicly published are accepted. Duplicate submissions are strictly prohibited.

3. Submission Deadline

Deadline for submissions: August 31, 2026

4. Submission Method

Please log in to the official website of Distributed Energy (der.tsinghuajournals.com), register an author account, and submit your manuscript via the online submission system. Please indicate "Submission for Special Issue on Key Technologies for Coordinated Optimization of Flexible Distributed Resources in Distribution and Microgrids" during the submission process.

We look forward to your high-level research results!

5. Contact Information

Editorial Department of Distributed Energy

Contact: Mr./Ms. Jiang

Email: mailto:jiangyiheng@cdt-kxjs.com

Tel: 010-80732245