Deadline Date: 30 November 2026
Introduction: Hydraulic modelling constitutes a key component of numerical analysis and engineering design, with wide-ranging applications in energy-related systems. From pipe networks, pumps, and turbines to rivers, reservoirs, and hydraulic infrastructures supporting energy production, accurate modelling of fluid flow is essential for predicting system behavior, optimizing performance, and ensuring safety and sustainability. The continuous development of numerical methods has significantly enhanced the ability to model complex hydraulic phenomena, including turbulence, flow resistance, unsteady and transient flows, and energy dissipation. Modern approaches increasingly rely on advanced computational techniques such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite volume and finite element methods, reduced-order modelling, and hybrid physics-based and data-driven strategies. These methods are particularly relevant in energy engineering, where hydraulic processes directly influence efficiency, reliability, and environmental impact. Given the strong link between hydraulic behaviour and energy conversion, transport, and storage, there is a growing need for research that integrates numerical modelling techniques with practical energy applications. This Special Issue aims to provide a focused platform for presenting recent advances in numerical hydraulic modelling, emphasizing computational methods and design-oriented applications in the broad field of energy engineering.
The aim and scope of the Special Issue: The aim of this Special Issue is to gather high-quality contributions that advance numerical methods for hydraulic modelling and demonstrate their application in energy-related engineering problems. The scope includes theoretical developments, computational innovations, and applied studies that improve the modelling, simulation, and design of hydraulic systems relevant to energy production and management.
Contributions are encouraged that:
develop or enhance numerical methods for hydraulic flow simulation;
address computational challenges in modelling energy-related hydraulic systems;
couple hydraulic models with energy analysis and optimization frameworks;
improve accuracy, efficiency, or robustness of numerical simulations;
explore data-driven, machine-learning, or hybrid approaches within numerical hydraulic modelling.
Original research papers, review articles, and well-documented case studies aligned with the journal's focus on numerical methods and engineering design are welcome.
Suggested themes:
Numerical methods in hydraulic modelling
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for energy systems
Finite element, finite volume, and related methods in hydraulics
Modelling of pipe flows, open-channel flows, and coupled systems
Flow resistance, turbulence, and energy loss modelling
Hydraulic transients and unsteady flow simulations
Numerical modelling of hydropower and pumped-storage systems
Reduced-order and explicit models for hydraulic calculations
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in numerical hydraulics
Hybrid physics-based and data-driven numerical approaches
Model validation, calibration, and uncertainty analysis
Hydraulic modelling for sustainable and renewable energy applications