This book presents a framework for sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity systems. It begins by examining the global energy situation, emphasizing the pressures of population growth, rapid urbanization, and environmental degradation. The critical aspects of reliability and resiliency are discussed next. Modern grids must balance the intermittency of renewable energy sources with the demand for a continuous supply. Energy storage, smart grids, and innovative market mechanisms all play a role, but they also raise questions about cost and feasibility.

Another central theme is the rise of electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. These technologies promise to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, but they also affect electricity demand and intensify the need for critical minerals. Their rapid adoption requires infrastructure planning, recycling strategies, and grid integration.

A distinctive contribution of this work is the identification of twelve key research gaps in energy transition knowledge, policy, and technology, and proposing strategies to move toward an energy future that is fair, resilient, and sustainable for generations to come.

Autorentext

Dr Rabiul Islam received his PhD degree in electrical engineering from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, in 2014. He is an Associate Professor with the School of Electrical, Computer, and Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Dr Behnaz Behi received her PhD in Electrical Engineering from Murdoch University, Australia, in 2022. Behnaz's expertise is in sustainable, reliable, and affordable models for energy systems and planning zero emissions renewable microgrids and virtual power plants. Dr Faisel Tubbal completed his PhD in telecommunications engineering at the University of Wollongong, Australia, in 2017. He serves as labs manager, lecturer, and coordinator at the School of Computer, Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering in the University of Wollongong. His research interests include antenna design for various applications. Dr Qinghua Guo received a PhD degree in electronic engineering from the City University of Hong Kong in 2008. He is an Associate Professor with the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Wollongong in Australia, and an Adjunct Associate Professor with the School of Engineering at the University of Western Australia. Dr Sasha Nikolic is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wollongong and holds a PhD in Engineering Education. He previously spent several years in industry. He has received an Australian Award for University Teaching citation in 2012 and 2019. He is an executive committee member of the Australasian Association of Engineering Education and President of the Australasian Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Education Centre. Dr Raad Raad received a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wollongong in 2006. Since 2004, he has been with the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Wollongong, and he is currently Head of School. His research interests include wireless communications, CubeSat, the IoT, and Antenna design in addition to advanced power systems. He is part of the ARC ITTC for Future Grids and the ARC hub for Connected Health Sensors, both major research initiatives.