The energy transition and the resulting changes in landscape appearance have brought great social repercussions. Nowadays we have to answer the questions that how can we view the rapidly changing landscape appearance caused by energy transition, and how to balance associated issues about protection and development. Since the energy landscape aesthetic theory in the low-carbon era has not yet been constructed, this paper explores landscape aesthetics from terminological, evolutionary, and methodological perspectives, and discusses the connotation, core values, and research scopes of postmodern aesthetics, post-industrial aesthetics, and ecological aesthetics. Based on theoretical review, assessment paradigms of landscape aesthetics are sorted out from essentialism, positivism, to social constructivism. A framework is introduced to assess energy landscapes under energy transition background to generate a consensus for sustainable landscape among all stakeholders.

The abundant land resources in rural areas have allowed for a rapid growth of the photovoltaic (PV) industry. However, the large-scale construction of PV facilities has significantly impacted rural landscapes. This study systematically analyzed the visual impact of PV facilities on rural landscapes using the visual Q-method. By selecting images of PV facilities within rural natural, settlement, and production landscapes from different regions in China, visual perception scoring was conducted between experts and non-experts. Statistical analysis of the scoring results using PQMethod2.35 software identified five primary factors influencing the visual impact of PV facilities on rural landscapes: boundary integration, morphological innovation, color richness and coordination, multifunction, and scale. The findings indicate that PV facilities exert the most significant visual impact on rural natural landscapes, with a clear disparity in satisfaction. PV facilities negatively affect rural settlement landscapes, with dissatisfaction frequencies significantly exceeding satisfaction frequencies. However, their visual impact on rural production landscapes is negligible. The results will provide a reference for landscape planning and design of PV facilities in rural areas, supporting the sustainable development of PV facilities.

Biomass energy, as a renewable and abundant source of clean energy, offers strong support for mitigating the environmental crises caused by fossil fuel consumption and realizing global carbon neutrality goals. Research on biomass energy spatial planning is inherently complex and interdisciplinary. Although existing studies span a wide range of spatial scales and thematic focuses, there remains a lack of review that constructs the research framework from a holistic perspective, systematically synthesizing existing literature, identifying research hotspots, and analyzing evolving trends. To address this gap, this research employs CiteSpace to visualize the research trends of the field. Thereby, grounded in "energy landscapes" theory, this research constructs the "resource–supply chain–demand–optimization" spatial operational logic and corresponding biomass energy spatial planning research framework. It reviews existing literature on potential assessment, supply chain, energy demand, and spatial optimization of supply–demand alignment, to clarify the interconnections among research themes, methods, and subfields, enhance the practical feasibility of biomass energy assessment and spatial planning, and improve the scientific rigor and applicability of optimization strategies. Finally, the research outlines future research directions, emphasizing the need to integrate energy planning with spatial planning. Through scientifically guided planning and rational allocation of biomass resources, the added spatial value of renewable energy can be fully leveraged to support sustainable development.

In the 21st century, the increasing importance of renewable energy in addressing climate change and environmental sustainability has posed opportunities and challenges to the exploration of energy landscapes. A crucial question arises for disciplines related to spatial planning and design: how to theoretically and practically collaborate to appraise the meanings, classifications, and characteristics of energy landscapes, as well as their future development? Answering this question is essential for the discipline of Landscape Architecture to deepen the understanding of energy landscapes. Therefore, this research utilizes a scientific bibliometric methodology, complemented by typical case studies, to review relevant literature and projects. This systematic approach aims to offer a comprehensive explanation of key issues about energy landscapes. Ultimately, three fundamental aspects for the future sustainable development of energy landscapes are identified: enhancing social acceptance of energy infrastructure; conducting big data processing, analysis, and mapping; and providing multiple solutions of planning and design. In conclusion, this research seeks to shed light on the significance, role, and potential of landscape in the energy transition for planners and designers.