Blockchain-enabled framework for decision-making in renewable energy storage and sustainable supply chains

With the accelerated adoption of renewable energy into power grids, energy storage is becoming increasingly important in addressing sustainability, efficiency, and grid reliability. For one, blockchain technology can provide transparency, traceability, and decentralized control, allowing renewable energy storage and supply chains to be enhanced. Nonetheless, the interdependence of blockchain-enabled sustainability features under these conditions still has not been thoroughly analyzed. This study develops a hybrid decision-support framework that integrates the fuzzy best-worst method and fuzzy cognitive mapping to identify, prioritize, and analyze the interrelationships among blockchain-driven sustainability attributes relevant to energy storage and supply chain performance. Twelve key features, including digitalized demand management, smart renewable energy storage and management systems, and supply chain reengineering, are evaluated through expert input from academia and industry. Fuzzy Best Worst method establishes weighted priorities, while fuzz cognitive maps uncover causal linkages and dynamic feedback among features. Results reveal that “digitalization of demand management,” “smart renewable energy storage systems,” and “enhanced handling of renewable energy storage and supply chains” are the most influential drivers of sustainability, whereas governance and security features play dependent roles. The integrated framework provides methodological and practical insights by identifying leverage points for blockchain adoption in renewable energy storage integration, enabling adaptive, transparent, and resilient systems. This study contributes to advancing sustainable development goal 7 (affordable and clean energy) by offering policymakers, researchers, and practitioners a replicable tool for aligning blockchain with sustainable energy storage and supply chain design. • Developed a novel hybrid FBWM–FCM framework to evaluate blockchain-enabled sustainability in RESCs. • Identified and prioritized twelve key blockchain sustainability features using expert-driven analysis. • Mapped causal interdependencies to reveal high-leverage features for sustainable supply chain transformation. • Delivered a replicable decision-support tool for policymakers and industry practitioners. • Advanced the integration of blockchain, sustainability, and operations research in renewable energy systems.