The rising demand for water and energy is driving the overuse of natural resources and contributing to environmental degradation. To address these challenges, the focus has shifted to low- and zero-emission technologies that utilize alternative sources of water and energy. Although such systems are commonly applied in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, facilities along transportation routes generally depend on grid connections. This study aimed to enhance operational independence and reduce environmental impacts by modernizing the Rest Area Stobierna (RAS) along Poland’s S19 expressway, part of the Via Carpatia road. A comprehensive technical, economic, and environmental analysis was conducted using HOMER Pro software (3.18.3 PRO Edition) and a simulation model based on YAS operating principles. The proposed Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) incorporates photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and a rainwater harvesting system (RWHS). Two configurations of the HRES were evaluated, a prosumer-based setup and a hybrid-island mode. Optimization results showed that the hybrid-island configuration was most effective, achieving a 61.6% share of renewable energy in the annual balance, a 7.1-year return on investment, a EUR 0.77 million reduction in Net Present Cost (NPC), and a 75,002 kg decrease in CO₂ emissions over the system’s 25-year lifecycle. This study highlights the potential of integrating renewable energy and water systems to improve sustainability, reduce operational costs, and enhance service quality in road infrastructure facilities, offering a replicable model for similar contexts.

Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) play a key role in the decarbonization of many sectors of the economy and, thus, in achieving ambitious climate goals. Due to the complexity of the issues and the impact of many factors on the efficiency of these systems, it is necessary to ensure that they are properly designed, managed, and optimized. Many techniques and methods are used to achieve an optimal multi-source energy system. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in HRESs. Taking this into account, a comprehensive review of scientific literature was carried out, based on bibliometric analysis. Professional software was used for the research: Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. The bibliographic database was created using the international scientific platform Web of Science. The evolution of research trends and the dynamic development of research on the management and optimization of HRESs in the years 2010–2024 were presented. The results of the analysis confirmed the growing importance of integrated energy management systems and optimization strategies in the context of the global energy transformation. The analysis also indicated that, despite the growing interest in this topic, further development of advanced energy management strategies and optimization methods is necessary to effectively use renewable energy sources and enhance the stability of HRESs.

A growing interest in renewable energy sources has been observed for over a decade. This stems from the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels, the processing of which leads to significant environmental pollution. Implementing unconventional energy technologies is not only crucial but also their proper management and optimization. This is particularly crucial in hybrid systems based on multiple energy sources. With this in mind, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature was conducted, relating to research on these systems implemented in academic facilities between 2009 and 2025. The focus was on these facilities because universities, and particularly their research laboratories, increasingly play a key role in the creation, research, development, and implementation of hybrid energy systems. The study utilized professional software: Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. The bibliographic database was created using the most popular international scientific platforms, Web of Science and Scopus. Evolution of research trends and intensive development of research on the management and optimization of hybrid energy systems implemented in academic infrastructure were observed. Analysis of the results showed that, since 2009, there has been a transition from basic research on the efficiency and optimization of renewable energy sources, through the integration of various technologies and the development of management methods, to contemporary issues related to digitalization, energy storage, and economic analysis.