The design of energy systems has become an issue of worldwide interest. A single optimal energy system cannot be suggested because the availability of infrastructure and resources, and the acceptability of the system should be discussed locally with the involvement of all related stakeholders. A simulation-based approach is strongly needed for such a purpose. In this paper, the current major trends are reviewed on research activities related to smart energy systems. First, a bibliometric analysis of academic papers was conducted with the aim of visualizing clusters that indicate the hot topics attributable to smart energy systems. Considering the extracted research topics and representative references that are the core of each cluster, possible simulation-based approaches for the design of smart energy system are schematically structured on the basis of social, economic, and technological aspects. Through this study, the framework needed for the design of smart energy systems is characterized with simulation-based socioeconomic and technological analyses.