Abstract
The energy policy of the European Union stresses the need for sustainable energy consumption, improvements in energy efficiency and lower fossil fuel dependence in a decoupling strategy from unstable democracies. Transportation still represents a sector largely dependent on fossil fuels, which come with several negative impacts. Measuring and assessing the sustainability of the transport sector becomes necessary. This study aims to assess the sustainability performance of the transport sector across 28 European countries over a four-year period, aligned with the policy agenda outlined in strategic documents. The methodological approach involves applying Benefit-of-the-Doubt (BoD) models, comparing aversion that uses transformation methods for anti- isotonic sub-indicators with a variant that directly incorporates these sub-indicators as reverse indicators. In general, the European countries have improved the sustainability performance of their transport sector during the time span analyzed according to the results of both models. For the inefficient units, two improvement strategies are presented based on the profiles identified on the benchmarks from both models, which can be alternative stages to achieve the robust best practices of the benchmarks.

Abstract
Complex systems, characterised by high interconnectedness and unpredictability, demand structured approaches to support decision-making, system integration, and operational efficiency. This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of these systems to facilitate the implementation of Digital Twins (DTs) in Complex Operations Environments (COEs). A Systematic Literature Review (SLR), following PRISMA methodology, is conducted and complemented by a grounded theory approach to identify, organise, and synthesise system characteristics. The result is a hierarchical conceptualisation comprising eight core categories that capture the essential dimensions of complexity, including: Process and System Interoperability, Human Relationships, Behaviour/Nature, Products and Services, Multi-processes, Performance, System Structure, and Management and Skill Requirements. This framework offers a structured foundation for designing and implementing DT-based decision support in COEs.

Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the applicability of systematic methods in the identification and evaluation of studies on sustainable urban mobility, providing subsidies to guide managers and policymakers in the development of efficient and environmentally responsible public policies.   Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) associated with the Fuzzy-TOPSIS method, a multi-criteria model capable of evaluating and prioritizing studies considering the imprecision inherent in decision-making processes. The PICO technique was used to define the analysis criteria, and the PRISMA protocol ensured the transparency and replicability of the results. Six criteria were established in the qualitative analyses for treatment in the Fuzzy-TOPSIS method.   Results and Discussion: The proposed approach proved effective in selecting the most relevant studies. The discussion points to the need to integrate Fuzzy-TOPSIS with complementary methods, such as DEMATEL and Social Network Analysis (SNA), in order to improve the modeling of causal relationships and strengthen the reliability of prioritization.   Research Implications: The results offer important insights for urban planning and the formulation of public policies, contributing to energy efficiency, reducing GHG emissions and improving the quality of public transport.   Originality/Value: The innovation of this study lies in the combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to the analysis of sustainable mobility, providing a robust benchmark that can positively influence practices and strategies in urban management.

Abstract
This chapter proposes a day-ahead scheduling framework in an energy hub (EH), integrating different energy conversion and storage technologies to efficaciously fulfill various types of load demands. The mentioned EH is capable of synchronously managing electrical, cooling, and heat load demands. The system is equipped with a combined heat and power (CHP) generating unit that efficiently supplies both heat and electricity. Furthermore, there are an electric heat pump and a boiler that also supply the heating load, while the heater is specifically employed for direct heating usage. The system includes an absorption chiller to supply a cooling load. This chiller absorbs waste heat from the CHP unit, resulting in improved energy efficiency. Battery storage systems enable the efficient use of energy by storing surplus power during times of low demand for future consumption. In addition, solar photovoltaic panels are included to capture renewable energy, therefore decreasing reliance on traditional energy sources and mitigating environmental consequences. The EH also includes a saltwater desalination technology operating together with the energy network to ensure the supply of freshwater, which is especially vital in dry areas. The desalination process is fueled by both renewable and produced thermal energy, thus maximizing resource use and reducing operating costs. The presented scheduling model has been formulated within a mixed-integer linear programming framework, implemented in GAMS, and solved by using the CPLEX solver to ensure optimal operation and minimum computational burden. This chapter provides a broad guideline of how the integrated systems operate. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Abstract

Abstract
This paper presents a fast and accurate optimization technique for optimal power flow (OPF) that can be conveniently applied to transmission and distribution systems. The method is based on the branch flow and DC optimal power flow (DCOPF) models. As the branch flow model is independent of the bus voltage angle, the model needs further development to enable use in meshed transmission systems. Thus, this paper adds the bus voltage angle constraint as a key constraint to the branch flow model so that the voltage angle can also be used in the power flow model in addition to the voltage magnitude control. The problem is based on second-order programming and modeled as a quadratically-constrained programming (QCP) problem solved using the CPLEX solver in GAMS. The functionality of the proposed model is tested utilizing four standard distribution systems, three transmission systems, a combined transmission-distribution network. The studied distribution systems include the 33-bus, 69-bus, 118-bus distribution (118-D) test systems, and 730-bus distribution system (730-D). Additionally, the studied transmission systems include 9-bus, 30-bus, and 118-bus transmission (118-T) test systems. The combined transmission-distribution system included the 9-bus transmission system with three connected distribution systems. The simulation results obtained from the developed technique are compared to those obtained from a conventional optimal flow model. The power losses and the absolute error of the solution are used as the two metrics to compare the methods' performance for distribution networks. The absolute error of the solution derived from the proposed hybrid OPF compared to MATPOWER for the 33-bus system is 0.00198 %. For the 69-bus system, the error is 0.00044 %. In addition, for the 118-D and 730-D systems, the absolute errors are 0.0026 %, and 0.05 %, respectively. For the transmission network, the operating costs and the solution absolute error are the two metrics used for comparing the proposed hybrid OPF model and MATPOWER. The results indicate the superior performance of the hybrid OPF model to the Newton-Raphson method in MATPOWER in terms of operating cost. In this regard, cost reductions relative to values given by MATPOWER are 0.0005 %, 0.838 %, and 0.015 %, for the 9-bus, 30-bus, and 118-T systems, respectively. The simulation studies demonstrate the performance of the presented branch flow-based model in solving the OPF problem with accurate results.