Feature Paper Collection in the Section ‘Energy Science and Technology’, Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Energy science and technology play a fundamental role in addressing many of the most pressing challenges faced by modern society. Rapid economic development, population growth, and increasing living standards have led to a continuous rise in global energy demand. At the same time, the need to mitigate climate change, improve environmental sustainability, and ensure long-term energy security requires the development of more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.

Achieving these goals requires a profound transformation of current energy technologies and infrastructure. Advances in energy generation, conversion, storage, and utilization are essential to reduce energy consumption, minimize environmental impacts, and improve the overall quality of life. In addition, increasing attention is being devoted to the integration of renewable energy sources, intelligent energy management systems, and novel thermal technologies capable of delivering high efficiency with reduced resource consumption.

Another important aspect of future energy systems is the water–energy nexus, which highlights the interdependence between energy production and water resources. Technologies such as water desalination, advanced water treatment, and energy-efficient water management systems are becoming increasingly important, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and growing energy demand. The integration of desalination technologies with renewable energy sources and waste heat recovery systems represents a promising direction for sustainable resource management.

Innovative solutions are, therefore, needed across multiple technological domains, ranging from renewable energy systems and advanced thermal processes to smart energy management and next-generation building technologies. Progress in these areas will be critical for improving system efficiency, reducing emissions, and enabling the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances and emerging research trends in the broad field of energy science and technology. We welcome high-quality contributions presenting original research, reviews, and technological developments that will advance scientific understanding and practical applications in this field.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Energy systems and energy technologies;
• Renewable energy sources;
• Solar energy technologies;
• Wind energy systems;
• Energy efficiency and energy savings;
• Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) technologies;
• Cooling technologies and refrigeration systems;
• Thermal energy storage;
• Smart energy systems and intelligent energy management;
• Advanced building technologies and sustainable buildings;
• Evaporative cooling systems;
• Desiccant-based air conditioning systems;
• Adsorption and absorption thermal systems;
• Waste heat recovery and energy recovery technologies;
• Integration of renewable energy with thermal systems;
• Water desalination technologies and the water–energy nexus;
• Energy-efficient water treatment and resource recovery;
• Hybrid and multi-generation energy systems;
• Emerging energy sources and next-generation power systems.

We encourage researchers and engineers from academia, industry, and research institutions to contribute their latest findings and technological developments that support the transition toward sustainable, efficient, and integrated energy systems.

Prof. Dr. Demis Pandelidis
Dr. Katrzyna Wartalska
Dr. Martyna Grzegorzek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• energy efficiency
• renewable energy technologies
• advanced thermal systems
• smart energy systems
• heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• thermal energy storage
• energy recovery
• evaporative cooling
• water desalination 
• water–energy nexus