Research on Sustainable Development Strategy of Energy Internet System in Xiongan New Area of China Based on PEST-SWOT-ANP Model

Abstract

The construction of China’s Xiongan New Area aims to create a smart city characterized by green, low-carbon, intelligent information, livability, business-friendliness, and harmony between humans and nature, with energy Internet services as a crucial foundation. Using macro-environmental (PEST), situational (SWOT) analyses and ANP analysis, this research explores the sustainability of Xiongan’s energy Internet system. The findings reveal that economic factors are particularly significant, with “abundance and easy extraction of resources” being the primary strength (12.25%). The most pronounced weakness is “insufficient integration of the Internet with energy”, a social factor (52.60%). Opportunities are mainly economic, with “strong financial support” as the primary driver (46.58%). Technological barriers, such as “monopolistic practices hindering progress”, are the chief threat (38.73%). This comprehensive analysis forms the basis for proposing targeted sustainable development strategies for Xiongan’s energy Internet system, offering valuable insights for similar initiatives elsewhere.

1. Introduction

China, as the world’s largest energy consumer, has experienced rapid growth in total energy consumption. Despite its large energy market, the energy consumption structure remains unbalanced. In recent years, the widespread application of new energy sources has promoted adjustments in the energy consumption structure but has also introduced a series of energy security issues [1]. For instance, with the large-scale integration of distributed new energy sources, the power grid system faces stability challenges due to their randomness and ambiguity. To enhance energy resilience and effectively address the issues of new energy integration and consumption, China is exploring new directions and strategies through the rise of the energy internet [2]. Since the initiation of the Chinese Energy Revolution Strategy in 2014, this strategy has comprehensively considered factors such as economic development, environmental governance, and social progress, driving the energy transition process. The energy internet, as a key measure, has garnered significant attention, evolving from academic discussions to technological forms and industrial practices. This development provides crucial support for achieving major strategic goals such as peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality.

The energy internet integrates the energy system with information and communication technology, utilizing digitalization, intelligence, and networking to organically combine energy production, transmission, storage, and utilization [3]. It is an innovative model that, based on internet thinking and technology, constructs a highly intelligent, informatized, and interconnected energy network to achieve flexible, efficient, secure, and clean energy supply. The key characteristics of the energy internet include (1) adopting internet concepts and technologies to enable real-time data exchange and collaborative operations; (2) integrating distributed energy resources to optimize energy management and dispatch, thereby maximizing the utilization efficiency of renewable energy; (3) promoting efficient conversion and sharing among multiple energy sources; (4) achieving intelligent energy management and optimization through technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence; and (5) encouraging user participation in energy management and market transactions to realize energy sharing and flexible usage.

The energy internet system is composed of multiple independent subsystems, each capable of independently performing functions such as energy production, import, transmission, consumption, and storage [4]. These subsystems possess both independence and systematization, which can be abstractly described using the structure shown in Figure 1. They receive various types of information from external systems, local energy sources, and loads, and perform energy conversion and distribution. Bidirectional information exchange occurs between the energy hub and various channels, which must satisfy local load and external delivery demands while considering the supply capacity of local and imported energy. Therefore, the sustainable development capability of the energy internet system is of paramount importance.

Since its establishment, Xiongan New Area in China has been dedicated to creating a modern energy demonstration zone. Several projects have been successively constructed, including the Beijing–Xiongan full-line energy management system, the smart energy system, the Zhangbei–Xiongan 1000 kV ultra-high-voltage transmission and transformation project, the Xiongdong 500 kV transmission and transformation project, and the Jucun 220 kV transmission and transformation project. These efforts have led to the formation of the “Xiongan model”, an internationally leading energy internet with Chinese characteristics. However, the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area still faces a series of challenges. For instance, the level of intelligence in the energy internet system needs further improvement, the business models and market mechanisms are not yet fully developed, and there is an imbalance in the integration and consumption of new energy sources.

To improve the sustainable development level of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area and other regions, this paper using the PEST-SWOT analysis method, the development status of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area is determined, and a series of alternative sustainable development strategies are proposed based on the current development situation. On this basis, incorporating expert knowledge, the PEST-SWOT-ANP model is used to discuss the optimal strategic planning for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area. The main contribution of this paper lies in the proposed strategies, which can not only provide a reference for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area but also offer a blueprint for formulating sustainable development strategies for energy internet systems in other regions. It employs an innovative approach to analyze internal and external environmental factors affecting the sustainable development of energy internet systems in the new era and explores future directions for research on sustainable development of energy internet systems.

2. Literature Review

Energy is the foundation and guarantee of human social activities, and the transition of old and new dynamics in the energy industry directly impacts the sustainable development of human society [5]. Currently, the technological revolution and industrial revolution, represented by digitalization, are accelerating the digital transformation of the energy industry and energy systems. New technologies and business models related to “internet + smart energy” (i.e., energy internet) are continuously emerging. New business models such as virtual power plants, pan-energy networks, integrated energy systems, and next-generation power systems have already appeared in various industries, including power generation units, transmission and distribution, oil and petrochemicals, electric vehicles, new energy, urban gas, and information and communication. The energy internet is a typical open system integrating information and energy, which inherently possesses significant uncertainty. Its internal subsystems, overall structure, and information-based regulation are continuously evolving, presenting a self-organizing, nonlinear, and multi-unit collaborative complex system [6].

Therefore, the sustainable development of energy internet systems requires effective strategic planning. In recent years, the PEST-SWOT analysis model and the ANP-SWOT analysis model have been widely recognized as effective tools and are gradually being confirmed in the fields of strategic planning and decision evaluation. The SWOT matrix is one of the most widely used tools [7]. In 1971, Harvard Business School scholar Andrews introduced the SWOT analysis method in his book The Concept of Corporate Strategy to identify the strengths and weaknesses (internal factors) as well as threats and opportunities (external factors) faced by the subject of the study. By identifying and analyzing these factors, it can help enterprises or organizations to determine their strengths and weaknesses and to utilize opportunities and address threats to formulate strategic plans [8]. The SWOT matrix analyzes the system by evaluating the internal advantages and disadvantages while also considering the external opportunities and threats encountered by the system. Strategies developed based on these factors can provide realistic solutions for decision makers and determine the extent to which the system aligns with the vision of sustainable development. This method offers guidance for adjusting work to achieve the desired and optimal structure. SWOT analysis is a strategic analysis method that mainly focuses on the evaluation of the internal and external environments of an enterprise or organization. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By identifying and analyzing these factors, it helps enterprises or organizations determine their strengths and weaknesses and leverage opportunities while addressing threats to formulate strategic plans. SWOT analysis technology was developed in the 1960s [9] and is now widely applied in various industries such as construction, energy, and e-commerce. Yuan [10], based on SWOT analysis, provided key strategies for construction waste management in the construction industry. Terrados [11] et al. utilized the SWOT analysis tool for strategic planning in the development of renewable energy. Jiskani [12] et al. adopted a multi-criteria-based SWOT analysis for sustainable planning in Pakistan’s mining and mineral industries.

The single SWOT analysis allows for subjective qualitative evaluation of competitive development, which forms the basis for strategic formulation. However, the environmental factors in traditional SWOT analysis are complex. To more comprehensively identify these complex environmental factors, the SWOT-PEST analysis model introduces new ideas [13]. PEST analysis is a tool for examining the macro-environment, encompassing political, economic, social, and technological elements [14]. This analytical method helps understand the impact of the external environment on enterprises or organizations and provides references for decision making. The SWOT-PEST analysis method can comprehensively analyze the sustainable development status of the energy internet system from the four dimensions of politics, economy, society, and technology. However, analyzing an organization’s strategic development choices from a single perspective is not comprehensive enough. Strategies derived solely from PEST-SWOT analysis have limitations, as it is difficult to quantitatively measure the efficiency, importance, and priority of each factor. Consequently, many researchers have extensively combined PEST-SWOT analysis with other quantitative evaluation methods. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) [15] methods are the most commonly used, such as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) [16] and the analytic network process (ANP) [17], which determine the relative importance of various factors in the proposed strategies, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional SWOT analysis. The analytic network process (ANP), developed by renowned operations researcher Professor Saaty TL [18] from the University of Pittsburgh in 1996, is a decision-making method designed to handle complex structures. ANP is an extension of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). ANP is a more complex and comprehensive hierarchical analysis method compared to traditional AHP, considering the interdependencies, influences, and feedback relationships among factors, making decision results more accurate and effective. Unlike AHP, which emphasizes unidirectional hierarchical relationships, ANP more comprehensively analyzes the interactions between factors or adjacent levels in the hierarchical structure, better addressing complex decision problems [19,20,21,22,23]. Many scholars domestically and internationally have begun applying ANP in the formulation of sustainable development policies and the evaluation of industrial development prospects, confirming its practical application and effectiveness in these areas. For instance, Zhang Chuanping [24] et al. applied the ANP-SWOT comprehensive analysis model to study the development strategy of China’s coalbed methane industry. Zhü K [25] et al. utilized the ANP-SWOT hybrid method to study the development path of China’s rare earth industry. Most of the aforementioned studies are based on case studies, demonstrating that the combination of PEST-SWOT and ANP methods can be successfully applied to case studies. It is reasonable to adopt the SWOT-PEST analysis combined with the ANP method for quantitative research in this study.

The motivation for this research stems from the current lack of comprehensive strategic plans. Since the energy internet system is not limited to any specific field but affects the interconnection of the entire energy system, it is necessary to segment factors from a macro-perspective and propose macro-policy directions from the standpoint of promoting sustainable development of the energy internet. Some studies have demonstrated the importance of strategic planning and sustainable management by using methods such as SWOT, AHP-SWOT, and SWOT-ANP. This research takes Xiongan New Area in China as a case study to determine the development status of the energy internet system in Xiongan and identify the optimal solutions for sustainable development. The main research contents are as follows: (1) identify the factors that hinder the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area; (2) explore strategies to promote the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area; and (3) determine the best strategies for sustainable development.

3. Methods

3.1. SWOT-PEST Analysis

SWOT analysis and PEST analysis are two effective environmental analysis methods. SWOT analysis evaluates the internal and external conditions of the subject by summarizing its resources, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, providing a scientific and comprehensive observation. In contrast, PEST analysis focuses on the analysis of four macro-environmental factors: political, economic, social, and technological, helping to understand the impact of the macro-environment on strategic formulation.

This study integrates the advantages of SWOT and PEST analyses to develop a SWOT-PEST matrix analysis model. This model comprehensively considers internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external macro-environmental opportunities and threats. As shown in

Table 1. PEST-embedded SWOT analysis.

PEST	SWOT
	Strengths	Weaknesses	Opportunities	Threats
Politics	PS	PW	PO	PT
Economy	ES	EW	EO	ET
Society	SS	SW	SO	ST
Technology	TS	TW	TO	TT

and Figure 2, this integrated approach not only systematically investigates and analyzes environmental factors but also provides a comprehensive and clear understanding of the environment, thereby laying a solid foundation for strategic planning.

3.2. ANP Analysis

The ANP process is as follows: (1) establish the ANP model for the sustainable development of the energy internet system; (2) calculate the unweighted and weighted supermatrices, respectively; and (3) compute the limit supermatrix, determine the weights, and perform a comprehensive ranking.

In constructing pairwise comparison judgment matrices and determining weights using the analytic network process (ANP) method, the core issues lie in answering two fundamental questions: firstly, whether there is an impact (relevance) of the elements on the criterion and, secondly, the degree of impact (contribution) of the elements on the criterion. The previous analysis has already addressed the issue of relevance between elements, while the evaluation of the contribution of elements requires the introduction of the concept of “dominance degree.” Dominance degree is used to measure which of the two elements is more important or contributes more to a particular criterion. The detailed steps of the ANP model are as follows:

• Step 1: Calculate the consistency index (CI).

Due to the complexity of the system and the diversity of experts’ cognition, it is often impossible to ensure the transitivity and consistency of judgments when constructing the judgment matrix. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a consistency test on the judgment matrix to ensure overall consistency and avoid contradictory judgments.

$$CI={\displaystyle \frac{{\lambda }_{\max }-n}{n-1}}$$

(1)

where ${\lambda }_{\max }$ is the maximum eigenvalue of the comparison judgment matrix, and $n$ is the order of the matrix.

• Step 2: Calculate the unweighted supermatrix.

Let the elements in the control layer of the ANP for sustainable development of the energy internet system be denoted as $p_1,\cdots ,p_n$. Under the control layer, the network layer for sustainable development of the energy internet consists of two element groups, $C_i$ and $C_j$, where the elements in $C_i$ are $e_{i1},\cdots ,e_{{in}_i}\left(i=1,2,\cdots ,N\right)$ and the elements in $C_j$ are $e_{jl}\left(l=1,\cdots ,n_j\right)$. Using the element $P_s\left(s=1,\cdots ,m\right)$ from the control layer as the criterion and the element $e_{jl}\left(l=1,\cdots ,n_j\right)$ as the sub-criterion, the importance of the elements in the $C_i$ group with respect to $e_{jli}$ is compared and analyzed. By using pairwise comparison, the judgment matrix is constructed, and the ranking vector ${\left(w_{i1}^{\left(jl\right)},w_{i2}^{\left(jl\right)},\cdots ,w_{i{n}_i}^{\left(jl\right)},\right)}^T$ is obtained through the eigenvalue method. Let $W_{ij}$ be

$$W_{ij}=\left[\begin{array}{cccc}{w_{i1}}^{\left(j1\right)}& {w_{i1}}^{\left(j2\right)}& \cdots & {w_{i1}}^{\left(j{n}_j\right)}\\ {w_{i2}}^{\left(j1\right)}& {w_{i2}}^{\left(j2\right)}& \cdots & {w_{i2}}^{\left(j{n}_j\right)}\\ ⋮& ⋮& ⋮\hfill & ⋮\\ {w_{i{n}_i}}^{\left(j1\right)}& {w_{i{n}_i}}^{\left(j2\right)}& \cdots & {w_{i{n}_i}}^{\left(j{n}_j\right)}\end{array}\right]$$

(2)

By calculating the mutual influence between elements in $C_i$ and $C_j$, their column vectors can be ranked according to the degree of mutual influence. If the elements in $C_j$ are not affected by those in $C_i$, the column vector is zero. Hence, the unweighted supermatrix can be derived as

$$W=\left[\begin{array}{cccc}{W}_{11}& W_{12}& \cdots & W_{1N}\\ W_{21}& W_{22}& \cdots & W_{2N}\\ ⋮& ⋮& ⋮\hfill & ⋮\\ W_{N1}& W_{N2}& \cdots & W_{NN}\end{array}\right]$$

(3)

• Step 3: Calculate the weighted supermatrix.

To calculate the weighted supermatrix, we construct a supermatrix of $m$ non-negative matrices, where each sub-block $W_{ij}$ is column-normalized, while $W$ is not normalized. Therefore, the importance of each group of elements within the range of $C_i$ can be calculated according to the given criterion, and the ranking vector of each group of elements is set to zero to achieve optimal results, obtaining the weighted matrix as

$$A=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}{a}_{11}& \cdots & a_{1N}\\ ⋮& & ⋮\\ a_{N1}& \cdots & a_{NN}\end{array}\right]$$

(4)

Weighting the elements of the supermatrix $\tilde{W}$ results in

$$\tilde{W}=a_{ij}{W}_{ij}\left(i=1,2,\cdots ,N;j=1,2,\cdots ,N\right)$$

(5)

The weighted matrix $\tilde{W}$ is a special type of matrix where the sum of its columns can be one, referred to as a column stochastic matrix. Since these supermatrices exhibit formaldehyde properties, the symbol $W$ can be used to describe them.

• Step 4: Limit Supermatrix Calculation, Limit Ranking, and Weight Determination.

If each element of the supermatrix $W$ is weighted, the performance of each supermatrix can be measured by calculating the weight of each element. The performance of each supermatrix can also be measured by calculating the two-step weight of each element, i.e., the weight of each element. If $W^{\infty }=\lim {\lim }_{t\to \infty }{W}^t$, then $W^{\infty }$ represents the limit supermatrix. This ensures that each element can obtain the optimal weight.

3.3. Expert Survey Method

We employed a structured expert nomination process to compile a list of potential experts for participation in the Q survey. Initially, we used the digital search engine Scopus to identify the top 50 experts (i.e., authors) who had published the most papers on energy internet issues. Our search was limited to the period from 2014 to 2024 to focus on experts who had recently published relevant articles. These experts were considered to be at the forefront of current scientific advancements in the field. We sent emails to these 30 experts, requesting them to nominate 1 to 3 subject matter experts. These nominated experts were actively involved in the scientific debate regarding the sustainable development of the energy internet. The nominated experts were then invited via email to participate in our online consultation. The online consultation was conducted using POETQ, a collaborative online assessment tool that utilizes the Q method. Experts who did not respond initially received two email reminders. Following these reminders, non-respondents were sent a follow-up email asking them to specify the primary reason for their non-participation.

All experts participating in the survey ranked the relevance of influencing factors and the weights of alternative options. Firstly, each statement was categorized into three groups: agree, disagree, and neutral. Consequently, all statements were ranked under a forced quasi-normal distribution, with scores representing the level of agreement, ranging from complete agreement (+4) to complete disagreement (−4). As shown in Figure 3, when ranking the relevance of influencing factors, experts were asked questions primarily concerning the interactions between various factors, such as does factor PSs have a direct effect on factor TTs? In ranking the weights of alternative options, experts were asked questions primarily concerning the relative strength of each option compared to others across 16 criteria, such as did factor PSs play a critical role in proposing strategy SO1?

4. Analysis of the Sustainable Development Trend of the Energy Internet System in Xiongan New Area

Through the PEST-SWOT analysis of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area, a comprehensive understanding of its policy, economic, social, and technological environment, as well as its internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, can be obtained. Based on these in-depth analyses, scientific and effective strategies for the sustainable development of the energy internet system can be formulated. The research findings not only contribute to theoretical innovation but also provide valuable references and recommendations for decision makers.

4.1. SWOT Analysis of Policy

4.1.1. Policy Strengths (PSs)

The planning of energy technology innovation facilitates the deep integration of energy internet technology. During the critical period of global energy transition, China has adjusted its national energy strategy in a timely manner, placing significant emphasis on the application of energy technology innovation. A series of major strategic plans have been successively issued in China, including the “13th Five-Year Plan for National Strategic Emerging Industries Development” and the “Energy Technology Revolution Innovation Action Plan (2016–2030).” The “Technical Guidelines for Energy Internet Planning”, implemented on October 1, 2023, clearly specifies the planning and construction requirements for park energy internet, regional energy internet, and cross-regional energy internet. These guidelines provide standard norms for the deep technical integration of energy systems with information and communication systems, promoting the sustainable development of energy internet systems.

Policy pilot projects contribute to the standardized construction of the energy internet. In March 2019, Xiongan New Area in China launched an energy internet standardization pilot project, which was successfully completed and accepted in June 2023. This pilot project achieved positive results in promoting the interactive development of standardization and technological innovation [26]. By aligning with the energy internet construction needs of Xiongan New Area, accelerating the development of core standards, establishing typical business models, and proposing comprehensive evaluation indicators and methods, it provided replicable and scalable experiences and templates for other regions. This has generated a demonstration effect in the energy sector, driving innovation and sustainable development in China’s energy field.

4.1.2. Policy Weaknesses (PWs)

The lack of comprehensive supporting measures hinders the widespread application of energy internet system services. In recent years, with the advancement of energy internet construction, the services provided by the energy internet have become increasingly diversified. The sustainable development of the energy internet system relies on corresponding supporting measures, such as the development of the power grid, which is closely related to the construction of basic infrastructure including big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and blockchain [27].

Currently, Xiongan New Area in China is gradually forming a comprehensive power supply guarantee system that covers ultra-high-voltage to low-voltage grids. However, the integration level between information infrastructure, such as data centers, and energy infrastructure remains insufficient. Additionally, the limited integration of transmission lines and fiber-optic communication hinders the efficient transmission of energy and information. These issues restrict the widespread application and sustainable development of energy internet system services and require effective measures to be addressed.

4.1.3. Policy Opportunities (POs)

Encouraging energy interconnection brings opportunities for energy transformation and upgrading. Policy documents such as China’s “13th Five-Year Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction” encourage energy service companies to innovate their service models. Additionally, market mechanisms and business models such as energy performance contracting and integrated energy management are actively promoted. Under the guidance of the “China Hebei Xiongan New Area Planning Outline”, Xiongan New Area is fully developing renewable energy and promoting the construction of integrated energy stations. This not only helps achieve sustainable development goals but also facilitates energy transformation and upgrading. At the same time, China aims to enhance international cooperation to strengthen energy interconnection between countries, jointly address global energy challenges, and achieve a sustainable, secure, and clean energy supply, thereby promoting energy transformation and upgrading.

4.1.4. Policy Threats (PTs)

The lack of communication protocol standards for the energy internet poses challenges to efficient energy communication. The development of the energy internet has led to a more decentralized energy supply, necessitating the establishment of a set of universal communication protocol standards to enable efficient communication between different energy sources. However, there are still many issues in this regard in China, such as the lack of comprehensive standards and regulations, as well as the presence of overlapping standards and regulations, which prevent interconnection between different energy sources [28]. This limitation hinders the development of the energy internet and poses significant challenges to efficient communication between different energy sources. It is necessary to strengthen standardization efforts to promote energy interconnection and achieve the sustainable development of the energy internet system.

4.2. Economic SWOT Analysis

4.2.1. Economic Strengths (ESs)

Abundant and easily accessible resource endowments are conducive to promoting high-quality energy development. Xiongan New Area in China possesses exceptional natural resource endowments, with abundant natural resources such as petroleum, mineral water, and geothermal water, and favorable extraction conditions. Geothermal resources are widely distributed, with large reserves, shallow burial, high temperatures, and excellent water quality, making them very suitable for promoting efficient energy conversion equipment such as ground-source heat pumps. Baiyangdian has extensive reed resources, offering significant potential for biomass energy utilization. Additionally, nearby areas like Zhangbei have abundant wind and solar energy resources, enabling power dispatch. These rich natural resources provide favorable conditions for the efficient utilization of clean energy in Xiongan New Area, contributing to the dual high-quality development of its energy and economy.

4.2.2. Economic Weaknesses (EWs)

An unreasonable energy consumption structure hinders competition and innovation in the energy market. China heavily relies on imports for fossil energy, with over 70% of its oil consumption dependent on imports, posing significant challenges to the country’s energy security. Currently, China’s energy consumption is still predominantly based on coal-fired power generation, and the obstacles in energy structure adjustment and optimization have, to some extent, impeded the development of the energy internet [29]. This is due to the long-standing monopoly in the energy industry, which has restricted market and system reforms, as well as competition and innovation in the energy market, thereby adversely affecting the development and advancement of the energy internet. These factors collectively pose challenges to China’s energy security and sustainable development.

4.2.3. Economic Opportunities (EOs)

Strong financial support presents opportunities for the sustainable development of the energy internet system [30]. Since the implementation of the construction plan for Xiongan New Area, the Chinese government has increased financial support to ensure that Xiongan New Area has sufficient funds during its initial construction phase and gradually achieves fiscal self-sufficiency. In 2022, Xiongan New Area planned over 230 significant projects and invested more than CNY 200 billion in their implementation. Over the past five years, Xiongan New Area has completed investments totaling more than CNY 430 billion. Finance, as the lifeblood of economic development, plays a crucial role in serving the planning and construction of Xiongan New Area. From its establishment to early 2024, the balance of domestic and foreign currency loans in Xiongan New Area grew from CNY 18.4 billion to CNY 255.4 billion. This indicates that financial support for the construction of Xiongan New Area has been increasingly strengthened, providing robust funding for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area.

4.2.4. Economic Threats (ETs)

The insufficient international competitiveness of the energy industry poses challenges to its sustainable development. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cost of clean energy is indeed higher compared to traditional fossil fuels, especially in the initial investment and construction stages [31]. Additionally, the research and implementation of environmental protection technologies require substantial funds and resources, which puts economic pressure on environmental and clean energy projects to some extent. Moreover, some countries or regions have not yet established comprehensive support policies for environmental protection and clean energy, leading to relatively high investment risks for clean energy projects. In this context, Chinese energy companies face price competition and technical challenges from companies in other countries when competing internationally. Furthermore, due to the relatively high cost of clean energy, user participation willingness is also affected to some extent, which hinders the market expansion and sustainable development of enterprises.

4.3. Social SWOT Analysis

4.3.1. Social Strengths (SSs)

The practical foundation of integrated energy services is conducive to the sustainable development of the energy internet system. The practical experiences of Xiongan New Area in China, particularly in the construction of integrated energy stations and smart energy fusion stations, have demonstrated the potential and possibilities of the energy internet, providing direction for the sustainable development of the energy internet system. In particular, the establishment of the Xiongan New Area Integrated Energy Dispatch Center has provided effective support and assurance for the digital transformation of energy. The center’s responsibilities encompass various services, including energy operation monitoring, comprehensive energy governance, and emergency command management [32]. These efforts contribute to enhancing the operational efficiency and responsiveness of the energy system, promoting the development of the energy sector towards digitalization and intelligence, and bringing favorable impacts on innovation and transformation in China’s energy sector.

4.3.2. Social Weaknesses (SWs)

The insufficient integration of the internet with energy is detrimental to energy interconnection. Energy conversion and resource allocation have long been significant challenges for China, requiring sustained efforts. The severe barriers present in traditional energy systems and the relative independence of various energy subsystems limit energy interconnection and overall optimization efficiency [33]. These obstacles need to be overcome through innovative means. In recent years, the convenience, openness, and resource-sharing characteristics of the internet have introduced new possibilities for the energy sector. However, there are still numerous challenges in achieving deep integration of energy and the internet. For instance, the lack of advanced concepts for a clean energy internet, excessive vertical planning, neglect of comprehensive systems on the demand side, and the imbalance in the integration and consumption of distributed energy all constrain energy interconnection and the sustainable development of the energy internet system.

4.3.3. Social Opportunities (SOs)

The new model of social governance presents opportunities for the construction of energy interconnection [34]. Xiongan New Area in China is actively exploring new models of social governance, promoting social co-construction, co-governance, and shared benefits. In March 2022, the Rongdong Urban Operation Management Center Comprehensive Management Platform in Xiongan New Area began trial operations. Utilizing digital twin technology, this platform provides a three-dimensional representation of the operation status of the Rongdong area, allowing staff to clearly observe the three-dimensional real scene of the Rongdong area, including details such as the overall layout and building structures, reflecting the reality of grid-based governance. Xiongan New Area continuously promotes innovation in governance concepts, systems, and methods, deeply integrating information technology with grid management, laying a solid social foundation for the construction of energy interconnection.

4.3.4. Social Threats (STs)

Trade disputes pose challenges to the expansion of the depth and breadth of energy internet system development. Trade disputes have led to fluctuations in the international energy market, increasing the costs and uncertainties of energy transactions. This not only affects the smooth conduct of energy imports and exports but also restricts the application and development of the energy internet system in cross-border energy transactions. For China’s emerging energy industry, the challenges posed by trade disputes are particularly severe due to its relatively weaker competitiveness [35]. Given the industry’s higher dependency on international technology and equipment for research and development, production, and operation, trade disputes limit the channels for introducing advanced technologies and equipment, thereby increasing the difficulty and cost of development. This acts as an obstacle to further in-depth expansion of the energy internet system.

4.4. Technical SWOT Analysis

4.4.1. Technical Strengths (TSs)

The integration of “5G+BeiDou” technology is conducive to the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the energy industry [36]. Xiongan New Area in China is fully leveraging 5G and BeiDou technologies to build an intelligent city, which is of significant importance for enhancing the intelligence level of the energy industry. For example, when the China Xiongan Group Smart Energy Operation Platform was launched in March 2023, it innovatively applied high-precision positioning technology of “5G+BeiDou.” This technology enables precise positioning and rapid emergency response for gas pipelines and equipment, providing strong support for the safety of gas operations in Xiongan New Area. The application of this technology not only improves production efficiency but also enhances the safety and reliability of energy facilities, injecting new vitality into the development of the energy industry. Therefore, the integration of 5G and BeiDou technology will further promote the development of the energy industry towards intelligence, optimize and upgrade energy systems, and lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area.

4.4.2. Technical Weaknesses (TWs)

Insufficient computing power hinders the organic integration of energy and the internet. In energy systems, a large amount of data needs to be processed and analyzed, which often requires robust computational support [37]. Additionally, in the integration of energy and the internet, large-scale data exchange, sharing, and analysis are necessary, all of which require substantial computing power. Currently, most energy internet projects in China are at the park level, while the implementation and promotion of city-level energy internet projects face technical issues such as insufficient computing power for operational control systems. There is still a need to strengthen the integration of new-generation information and communication technology with the energy sector. Therefore, enhancing computing power and building robust computational infrastructure are crucial for promoting the organic integration of energy and the internet. Only with sufficient computing power can energy systems better leverage internet technology to achieve intelligent management, optimize operations, and lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the energy industry.

4.4.3. Technical Opportunities (TOs)

Digital intelligence technology presents opportunities for the construction of smart energy systems. Technological empowerment makes smart cities possible, thereby promoting the construction of smart energy systems. The successful implementation of the Smart Park Informationization Project at the Business Service Center in Xiongan New Area in 2022 fully demonstrates the role of technological empowerment in urban development. Through comprehensive digital intelligence empowerment, this project has created a sustainable ecosystem, achieving the integration and optimization of park information infrastructure and system platforms and providing an efficient informationization platform for the park [38]. This intelligent park construction not only improves management efficiency but also provides strong support for the development of smart energy systems, promoting intelligent management and optimized operation of energy systems.

4.4.4. Technical Threats (TTs)

The monopolistic phenomenon in the energy industry poses challenges to the advancement of key energy technologies. Developed countries have established mature new energy industries and restrict the entry of other participants by setting stringent quality standards. These measures give developed countries a relative advantage in international trade negotiations, further consolidating their market monopoly. In contrast, as a developing country, China still has a gap with developed countries in terms of comprehensive energy service technology innovation [39]. Although certain progress has been made with new-generation technologies such as cloud computing, big data, IoT, and AI, the key core of energy technology remains constrained by developed countries. This results in weaker capabilities for Chinese enterprises in terms of technology introduction, assimilation, integration, and secondary development.

5. Results

5.1. PEST-SWOT-Related Factor Derivation Results

According to the PEST (political, economic, social, and technological) criteria, the influencing factors for the sustainable development of the energy internet in Xiongan New Area, China, were categorized. These categorized factors were then divided into internal and external factors, as well as positive and negative factors, for a SWOT analysis, resulting in 17 factors, as shown in

Table 2. Derivation of PEST-SWOT internal factors.

Interna	Strengths (+)	Weaknesses (−)
Political	(PSs) Energy science and technology innovation planning; policy pilot	(PWs) The lack of energy internet communication protocol standards
Economic	(ESs) Rich resource endowments and easy exploitation	(EWs) The lack of international competitiveness of the energy industry
Social	(SSs) The practical basis of integrated energy services	(SWs) Trade disputes
Technological	(TSs) “5G+ Beidou” technology integration	(TWs) The monopoly of energy industry

and

Table 3. Derivation of PEST-SWOT external factors.

External	Opportunities (+)	Threats (−)
Political	(POs) Encouraging energy connectivity	(PWs) The lack of energy internet communication protocol standards
Economic	(EOs) Great financial support	(EWs) The lack of international competitiveness of the energy industry
Social	(SOs) The new model of social governance	(SWs) Trade disputes
Technological	(TOs) Digital intelligence technology	(TWs) The monopoly of energy industry

.

Based on the comprehensive analysis principles of “seizing opportunities, avoiding threats, leveraging strengths, mitigating weaknesses, complementing strengths and weaknesses, and maximizing benefits while minimizing harms”, five targeted measures for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area are proposed. This is achieved through the use of the PEST-SWOT model and the SWOT strategic analysis matrix.

5.1.1. Strengths + Opportunities (SO) Strategy: Take Advantage of External Opportunities and Give Full Play to Their Own Strengths

This strategy is to strengthen the strategic guidance of the “Millennium Plan” and promote pilot projects for the energy internet. The government should introduce relevant policies to encourage and guide energy enterprises, technology research and development institutions, and others to participate in the construction of energy internet demonstration zones. For example, policy measures such as financial subsidies and tax incentives should be provided to reduce the costs and risks for enterprises participating in the construction of demonstration zones. Financial support should be used to establish innovation incubators for the energy internet system, supporting the development of start-ups with innovative potential. Relying on the energy internet standardization pilot in Xiongan New Area, the implementation of the national energy revolution strategy should be undertaken, building an industrial ecosystem of regional openness, co-construction, cooperative governance, and mutual benefit. By establishing a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the energy internet, the progress of demonstration zone construction, platform operation status, and service innovation achievements should be continuously monitored and evaluated. The experience accumulated from the Xiongan standardization pilot should be used to promote the widespread application and in-depth development of the energy internet across China.

5.1.2. Weaknesses + Opportunities (WO) Strategy: Seize External Opportunities to Make Up for Internal Weaknesses

This strategy is to reasonably allocate funds to create a sustainable development environment. Financial resources should be allocated effectively to ensure their efficient use [40]. Investments should be directed towards upgrading and expanding the hardware infrastructure of the energy internet, such as smart grids, energy storage facilities, and sensor networks, to enhance the level and coverage of infrastructure. It is essential to adhere to the principle of simultaneous planning and construction of digital and physical cities, proactively deploying smart infrastructure, and building a broadband, integrated, secure, and ubiquitous communication network and intelligent multi-source sensing system to form the core of intelligent city information management. Efforts should be made to ensure comprehensive coverage of smart infrastructure, intelligent core, and application security, and to establish a city network security assurance system. Diverse financing models should be explored to provide more funding sources for the construction of energy internet infrastructure. For example, public–private partnership (PPP) models, equity investment, and bond issuance can be utilized to raise funds through various financing channels, meeting the demands of large-scale infrastructure construction.

5.1.3. Strengths + Threats (ST) Strategy: To Resolve External Threats with the Help of Its Own Advantages

This strategy is to enhance the integration of multiple energy technologies to increase the added value of energy services. Various energy technology pilot projects, such as smart grids, distributed energy, and energy storage technologies, should be carried out to accumulate management and operational experience. Through the implementation of pilot projects, the service model of the energy internet system should be continuously improved, enhancing energy utilization efficiency and management levels. The integration of different technological fields should be strengthened to promote innovation in energy internet technology. For example, combining information technology, communication technology, and energy technology to develop intelligent energy management solutions can enhance the added value of energy services. Cooperation with universities and research institutions should be strengthened, and investment in technology research and development and innovation should be increased to break through the core technologies of the energy internet. For instance, advancements in smart grid technology, energy storage technology, and energy conversion technology can enhance the added value of energy internet system services in China.

Another strategy is to expand smart energy application scenarios to accelerate resource integration and cross-sector collaboration. Actively expanding new energy business and technology application scenarios should be promoted to innovate and develop energy internet system service models, such as smart homes, smart transportation, and smart cities. With the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, smart application scenarios in the energy industry continue to innovate, covering comprehensive solutions for smart production, smart marketing, and smart management. In the future, leveraging the advantages of technological integration can promote cross-sector collaboration between the energy industry and information, construction, and transportation industries, innovating energy service models and improving energy utilization efficiency. Encouraging the participation of various sectors of society through policy guidance, social involvement, and raising public awareness can foster cross-sector cooperation and resource integration, optimizing the energy consumption structure and improving energy utilization rates.

5.1.4. Weaknesses + Threats (WT) Strategy: To Reduce Internal Disadvantages and Avoid External Threats

This strategy is to strengthen international cooperation and exchange in the energy internet to jointly address global challenges. Active participation in international cooperation and exchange activities for the construction of the energy internet should be encouraged. Through collaboration with governments, enterprises, and research institutions from various countries, mutual understanding and trust can be enhanced, jointly promoting the development of the global energy internet [41]. By learning from international advanced experiences and technological achievements, and through technology transfer and collaborative research and development, the overall level of China’s energy internet can be elevated. Promoting the openness and cooperation of energy markets, reducing trade barriers, and facilitating the cross-border flow of energy products can achieve orderly market competition. Active participation in international energy internet cooperation projects should be pursued to strengthen collaboration in areas such as energy trading, finance, and investment. This can help form a fair, transparent, and efficient international energy market system. Collaborating with the international community to jointly address global challenges will promote the global energy transition and sustainable development.

5.2. PEST-SWOT-ANP Analysis Results

On this basis, the analytic network process (ANP) is used to evaluate the 16 identified influencing factors and the five strategic alternatives. By analyzing the comprehensive weights, the key factors affecting the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area and the optimal future sustainable development strategy are determined.

5.2.1. Building the Network Hierarchy

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is utilized to transform the SWOT matrix into a hierarchical structure for subsequent measurement and analysis. As shown in Figure 4, the overall goal is set as “Sustainable Development Strategies for the Energy Internet System in Xiongan New Area.” The criterion layer includes “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats” as evaluation standards, with “Selecting the Best Strategy” as the target layer. Based on this, five combined strategies are formed as the final level.

5.2.2. Importance Evaluation of Influencing Factors

According to the established overall goal of the hierarchical network structure, questionnaires were distributed to 10 experts in the fields of energy internet and energy development planning for the survey. Each expert used the importance comparison scale of 1 to 9 to make pairwise comparison of each influencing factor and determine the weight ${\omega }_1$ (

Table 4. Judgment matrix of influencing factors.

Energy Internet System Sustainable Development	Strengths	Weaknesses	Opportunities	Threats	Weight ω1
Strengths	1	2	2	3	40.9%
Weaknesses	1/2	1	1/2	1/2	13.86%
Opportunities	1/2	2	1	3	29.02%
Threats	1/3	2	1/3	1	16.22%
CR = 0.0821 < 0.1 (Have consistency)

). Then, the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, threats matrix is constructed to obtain ${\omega }_2$ (Table 4), and the weight ${\omega }_3$ value of each influencing factor is calculated through this process.

5.2.3. Importance Evaluation of Influencing Sub-Factors

Under the assumption that SWOT factors are independent of each other and have no influence relationship, the pairwise comparison matrix between SWOT factors is established, and the weight ${\omega }_5$ is obtained. Therefore, under this assumption, we can calculate the weight of the influencing subfactor ${\omega }_7={\omega }_3\times {\omega }_5$ (Table 4), where the weight ${\omega }_4$ and ${\omega }_6$ can be calculated by adding up the weights of the corresponding elements in ${\omega }_5$ and ${\omega }_7$.

According to the analysis results in

Table 5. Weight of influencing factors and influencing sub-factors.

Factor	ω3	Influencing Subfactor		Weight		Weight (Total Target)
				ω4	ω5	ω6	ω7
Strengths	41.24%	PSs	S1: Energy science and technology innovation planning	46.23%	18.52%	19.07%	7.64%
			S2: Policy pilot		27.71%		11.43%
		ESs	S3: Rich resource endowments and easy exploitation	29.71%	29.71%	12.25%	12.25%
		SSs	S4: The practical basis of integrated energy services	14.19%	14.19%	5.85%	5.85%
		TSs	S5: ”5G+ Beidou” technology integration	9.86%	9.86%	4.07%	4.07%
Weaknesses	13.39%	PWs	W1: Imperfect supporting measures	6.94%	6.94%	0.93%	0.93%
		EWs	W2: Unreasonable energy consumption structure	18.98%	18.98%	2.54%	2.54%
		SWs	W3: The lack of integration between the internet and energy	52.60%	52.60%	7.04%	7.04%
		TWs	W4: Insufficient computing power	21.48%	21.48%	2.88%	2.88%
Opportunities	29.60%	POs	O1: Encouraging energy connectivity	27.71%	27.71%	8.20%	8.20%
		EOs	O2: Great financial support	46.58%	46.58%	13.79%	13.79%
		SOs	O3: The new model of social governance	9.60%	9.60%	2.84%	2.84%
		TOs	O4: Digital intelligence technology	16.11%	16.11%	4.77%	4.77%
Threats	15.76%	PTs	T1: The lack of energy internet communication protocol standards	27.48%	27.48%	4.33%	4.33%
		ETs	T2: The lack of international competitiveness of the energy industry	19.81%	19.81%	3.12%	3.12%
		STs	T3: Trade disputes	13.97%	13.97%	2.20%	2.20%
		TTs	T4: The monopoly of energy industry	38.73%	38.73%	6.10%	6.10%

, the most important factor among the strengths in the PEST-SWOT analysis matrix is the “abundance and easy extraction of resources”, accounting for 12.25%, which falls under economic factors. Among the weaknesses, the most important factor is the “insufficient integration of the internet with energy”, accounting for 52.60%, which belongs to social factors. The most important factor among the opportunities is the “strong financial support”, accounting for 46.58%, which is an economic factor. Among the threats, the most important factor is the “monopolistic phenomenon in the energy industry hindering technological progress and innovation”, accounting for 38.73%, which falls under technological factors.

After analyzing the proportion of each factor in the overall weight in Table 5, the distribution of the SWOT indicator weights based on the overall weight was further characterized, as shown in Figure 5.

According to the overall weight distribution of the SWOT-PEST factors in Figure 6, it can be seen that among the strengths, the policies and economic aspects of the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area are relatively strong, and their advantages can be fully utilized. Among the weaknesses, social factors have a higher proportion in comparison and need to be addressed accordingly. In terms of opportunities, policy and economic factors are relatively strong, and these opportunities should be seized to achieve sustainable development. Among the threats, policy and technological factors have a higher proportion, and attention needs to be paid to mitigating the adverse effects of policy and technological factors in the process of sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area.

Next, according to the expert opinions, the dependencies and feedback relationships between the internal influencing factors of the PEST-SWOT analysis are determined (Figure 6).

Then, the internal dependence matrix of each PEST-SWOT factor relative to the other two factors is determined with the 1–9 scale method, and then the data unification is processed to obtain the matrix ${\omega }_8$(

Table 6. Internal dependence matrix of each impact factor relative to other factors.

ω8	PS	ES	SS	TS	PW	EW	SW	TW	PO	EO	SO	TO	PT	ET	ST	TT
PS	1	0	0	0.42	0	0	0	0	1.00	0	1.00	0.35	0	0	0	0
ES	0	1	0.17	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.00	0	0	0.6	0	0	0
SS	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TS	1.00	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.65	0	0	0	0.15
PW	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.67	0	0	0	0	0	0.4	0.23	0	0.2
EW	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.18	0	0
SW	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.36	0	0
TW	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.23	0	0.3
PO	0	1.00	0.31	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
EO	0	0	0.35	0	0	1.00	0	0.12	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
SO	0	0	0.17	0	0	0	0	0.12	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
TO	0	0	0	0.58	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
PT	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.33	0.76	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.35
ET	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
ST	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
TT	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

).

Next, by multiplying the weights of 16 internal and external influencing factors ${\omega }_6$ with the internal dependence matrix ${\omega }_8$ of the PEST-SWOT factor, the weights of 16 internal and external influencing factors ${\omega }_9$ under the overall target can be obtained.

$${\mathsf{\omega }}_9{=\mathsf{\omega }}_6{\times \mathsf{\omega }}_8=\left[\begin{array}{c}\begin{array}{c}0.1763\\ 0.1602\\ 0.0297\\ 0.1375\end{array}\\ \begin{array}{c}0.0255\\ 0.0153\\ 0.0434\\ 0.0195\end{array}\\ \begin{array}{c}0.1072\\ 0.0981\\ 0.0214\\ 0.0362\end{array}\\ \begin{array}{c}0.0717\\ 0.0159\\ 0.0112\\ 0.0310\end{array}\end{array}\right]$$

5.2.4. Evaluation of Strategy Alternatives

Finally, the five strategic alternatives are evaluated by calculating the weight value of each alternative. In the specific implementation, 16 influencing sub-factors are taken as the criteria, and the 1–9 scale method is used to measure the relative importance of each alternative under the 16 criteria involved in the PEST-SWOT matrix. The relative strength of each scheme relative to other schemes on the 16 criteria was evaluated, and then the data were unified to form a matrix ${\omega }_{10}$ (

Table 7. Evaluation matrix of each impact factor relative to the alternative.

ω10	PS	ES	SS	TS	PW	EW	SW	TW	PO	EO	SO	TO	PT	ET	ST	TT
SO1	0.4	0.2	0.27	0.1	0.23	0.17	0.24	0.11	0.33	0.21	0.23	0.08	0.24	0.19	0.37	0.2
WO1	0.06	0.09	0.17	0.16	0.28	0.42	0.14	0.05	0.07	0.32	0.14	0.07	0.1	0.05	0.09	0.05
ST1	0.16	0.15	0.17	0.29	0.11	0.08	0.17	0.28	0.14	0.08	0.09	0.35	0.14	0.24	0.09	0.25
ST2	0.2	0.47	0.33	0.24	0.17	0.08	0.35	0.11	0.33	0.3	0.45	0.43	0.38	0.28	0.27	0.3
WT1	0.18	0.09	0.06	0.21	0.21	0.25	0.1	0.45	0.13	0.09	0.09	0.07	0.14	0.24	0.18	0.2

). The nine-step scale is based on subjective judgment, and its results may be influenced by the experience, knowledge, and preferences of decision makers, so further comprehensive evaluation with weight values is necessary.

In the further comprehensive evaluation, the weight of 16 internal and external influencing factors ${\omega }_9$ under the overall goal is multiplied by the evaluation matrix ${\omega }_{10}$ of each alternative plan to obtain the comprehensive weight value ${\omega }_{11}$ of each alternative plan.

$${\mathsf{\omega }}_{11}=\left[\begin{array}{c}\begin{array}{c}{\mathrm{SO}}_1\\ {\mathrm{WO}}_1\end{array}\\ {\mathrm{ST}}_1\\ \begin{array}{c}{\mathrm{ST}}_2\\ {\mathrm{WT}}_1\end{array}\end{array}\right]{=\mathsf{\omega }}_9{\times \mathsf{\omega }}_{10}=\left[\begin{array}{c}\begin{array}{c}0.2397\\ 0.1276\end{array}\\ 0.1741\\ \begin{array}{c}0.3102\\ 0.1484\end{array}\end{array}\right]$$

Based on the weight values of the alternative strategies, the best strategies for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area are “ST₂: Expanding smart energy application scenarios, accelerating resource integration and cross-sector collaboration” and “SO₁: Strengthening the strategic guidance of the “Millennium Plan” and promoting pilot projects for the energy internet.”

6. Discussion

The key problem restricting the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area is the insufficient integration of the internet and energy. The reasons for this problem are China’s current energy internet technical standards are not uniform, the lack of effective data sharing and information exchange mechanisms, and data security and privacy issues. The lack of integration between the internet and energy will seriously restrict the effectiveness of sustainable development; therefore, in the future development of China’s Xiongan New Area, the government, industry organizations, and enterprises can cooperate to develop unified technical standards and protocols, promote interoperability between the internet and the energy system, and improve the efficiency of system integration; establish a cross-departmental and cross-industry information sharing platform, promote the exchange and sharing of energy data and internet data, and realize the interconnection of resource information; and strengthen data security and privacy protection measures, establish a sound data management system and security mechanism, and ensure the safe and reliable data exchange between the energy system and the internet system.

The best strategies for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in China’s Xiongan New Area are as follows: expand the application scenarios of smart energy, accelerate resource integration and cross-border integration, strengthen the strategic guidance of the “Millennium Plan”, and promote the pilot of the energy internet. To some extent, these strategies also reflect a series of problems facing the sustainable development of the energy internet system. Only by promoting the pilot of energy internet, expanding smart energy application scenarios, and accelerating resource integration and cross-border integration can we provide a good development environment for the efficient integration of energy and the internet. With the continuous innovation of smart energy application scenarios, the integration of different technology fields can be continuously strengthened to promote the innovation of energy internet technology so as to promote the interconnection of various facilities and services of the energy internet system, realize the efficient interconnection of energy and the internet, and promote the sustainable development of the energy internet system.

This study uses the analysis method of PEST-SWOT combined with ANP to analyze the sustainable development strategy of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area of China, to a certain extent, to provide a reference for other cities to carry out similar research. With the in-depth development of the energy internet, China’s Xiongan New Area will actively explore the sustainable development of the energy internet system to achieve green, intelligent, and efficient energy utilization. By combining advanced technologies, we will build a smart energy system, optimize the energy structure, and promote the transformation and upgrading of the energy industry.

6.1. Research Implications

In terms of strategic decision making, this study adopts a new ranking method, ANP, for the measurement of strategic alternatives. The ANP method is a more comprehensive and adaptable scientific decision-making method. The key to solving practical problems lies in evaluating the interrelationships of system elements and constructing a supermatrix that reflects the degree of influence among system elements. The PEST-SWOT analysis model and the ANP model play important roles in the formulation of sustainable development strategies and the evaluation of industrial development prospects. This study innovatively applies the PEST-SWOT-ANP comprehensive analysis method, embedding PEST into the SWOT tool for a complete analysis of internal and external factors, to create an ANP hierarchical structure. It comprehensively evaluates the political, economic, social, and technological macro-environments faced by the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area and deeply analyzes its internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Based on the analysis results, targeted sustainable development strategies for the energy internet system are proposed, providing references for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area and beyond. The comprehensive application of the PEST-SWOT analysis method with the ANP method represents a significant innovation in this research methodology. Although scholars have employed SWOT analysis, PEST-SWOT analysis, and SWOT-ANP analysis separately, no one has yet combined the PEST-SWOT and ANP methods. This methodological integration marks a unique contribution of this study. Additionally, there are relatively few studies that analyze the sustainable development strategies of energy internet systems based on specific case studies. Hence, this research takes Xiongan New Area as an example to deeply analyze the sustainable development strategies of its energy internet system, which is a notable innovation and pioneering effort in the field. This study not only fills a gap in existing methodologies but also provides new perspectives and approaches for practical application, thereby advancing both the theoretical research and practical exploration of sustainable development strategies for energy internet systems. These are the contributions and innovations of this research.

6.2. Research Limitations and Future Works

It is important to acknowledge some limitations of this study. Firstly, the generalizability of the research may be limited, as it primarily focuses on the key factors for the sustainable development of the energy internet in Xiongan New Area, China. Secondly, the strategic elements identified in the study are based on the perspectives of a specific group of experts, and the results might vary if other experts’ opinions were considered. To improve the accuracy of factor weighting, it is recommended to use other multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, such as the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Additionally, incorporating evaluations based on fuzzy logic is suggested to account for uncertainties in the analysis. Future research should employ multi-criteria decision models that encompass a broader range of criteria. It is crucial to identify undiscovered factors and integrate updated methods such as artificial neural networks and support vector machines. By using these advanced technologies, more accurate and complex multi-criteria decisions can be made, leading to the formulation of more scientifically sound sustainable development strategies for the energy internet. Meanwhile, Xiongan New Area will become a world-leading energy internet demonstration zone in the future, providing replicable experience for other regions. This study does not conduct a horizontal comparison of the development status of energy internet systems in various regions. In future research, it is recommended to comprehensively consider multiple factors to fully explore the sustainable development pathways of energy internet systems.

7. Conclusions

This study aims to propose strategic plans for the sustainable development of the energy internet system. To achieve this, the main issues facing the sustainable development of the energy internet are categorized into policy, economic, social, and technological aspects, further divided into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The importance of these categorized factors is measured, and based on the results, targeted strategies such as policy guidance, pilot initiatives, improvement of the standard system, reasonable allocation of funds, multi-party participation, and international exchange and cooperation are proposed to provide references for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area. Subsequently, the ANP analysis is employed to construct the network hierarchy. Combining the expert survey method, the best strategies for the sustainable development of the energy internet system in Xiongan New Area are determined through a method that integrates quantitative and qualitative analyses.

From a practical perspective, the findings of this study offer several insights. Firstly, it is essential to strengthen national and local energy development strategies, lead pilot projects for the energy internet, allocate funds reasonably, and create a sustainable development environment [42]. To foster the growth of the energy internet system, excessive regulation of the industry should be reduced to promote market growth and competitiveness. Given the global competitiveness of energy internet services, it is necessary to shift away from a regulation-centric policy approach to avoid hindering development and causing reverse discrimination in cross-national services. Secondly, the development of the energy internet system relies on sustained policy support for technological development and infrastructure [43]. As an integration center for multiple technologies, the energy internet is crucial for enhancing the added value of energy services through these technologies. Without fundamental technological development, the growth of the energy internet industry cannot be achieved [44]. Therefore, active policy support for the development of new technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the metaverse is required. Additionally, international cooperation and exchange in the energy internet should be strengthened to address global challenges collectively. This not only facilitates the sharing of technology and experience but also provides a broader perspective and more effective solutions for the sustainable development of the global energy internet.