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Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 5040

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Dr. Bartłomiej Igliński

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Interests: renewable energy; environmental conservation; sustainable energy; pro-ecological technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Michał Pietrzak

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Guest Editor

Department of Statistics and Econometrics, Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Interests: renewable energy; sustainable development; low-emission economy; regional analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The subject of this Special Issue is the processes of the global energy transition and the related issues of energy use and production. It should be emphasized that energy in the framework of the energy transition is understood as a fundamental engine of economic development and a factor in improving the quality of life. Reliable access to energy is a key element in economic and social development. Conventional fuel resources are limited and non-renewable, and their use contributes to atmospheric pollution by the emission of greenhouse gases, resulting in ever-increasing global warming. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify the production of energy from renewable energy (RE) sources. Importantly, any type of RE should be sourced sustainably, as this is the only way to achieve the energy transition. The development of RE promotes the creation of a decentralized society, powered by a network of smaller and safer power plants, and the strengthening of local communities.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

Energy transition and determinants of the energy transition processes;
Energy production, heat, transportation, transformation of economies and social changes;
Primary fuels, energy, and the renewable energy market;
Possibilities of RE development;
Biomass technology and biofuels applications;
Biogas and biomethane production;
Wind energy technology;
Solar, thermal and photovoltaic technology;
Hydropower technology, wave, tide, and ocean thermal energies;
Geothermal technology;
Hydrogen production and fuel cells;
Proecological aspects in the energy sector;
Low-emission economy, decarbonization strategy, prosumers;
Socio-economic consequences of the development of the RE sector.

Dr. Bartłomiej Igliński
Prof. Dr. Michał Pietrzak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

energy transition
renewable and sustainable energy
renewable energy sources
energy conversion
proecological technologies
low-emission economy

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Related Special Issue

Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes in Energies (10 articles)

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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38 pages, 18471 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bend–Twist Coupling for Small Wind Turbines: A Blade Design Methodology to Enhance Power Generation

by Juan Pablo Vanegas-Alzate, María Antonia Restrepo-Madrigal, José Luis Torres-Madroñero, César Nieto-Londoño, Germán Alberto Barragán de los Rios, Jorge Mario Tamayo-Avendaño, Julián Sierra-Pérez, Joham Alvarez-Montoya and Daniel Restrepo-Montoya

Energies 2025, 18(20), 5353; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18205353 - 11 Oct 2025

Viewed by 262

Abstract

Small-scale wind turbines (SWTs) represent a promising solution for the energy transition and the decentralization of electricity generation in non-interconnected areas. Conventional strategies to improve SWT performance often rely on active pitch control, which, while effective at rated conditions, is too costly and complex for small systems. An alternative is passive pitch control through bend–twist coupling in the blade structure, which enables self-regulation and improved power generation. This work proposes a novel blade design methodology for a 5 kW SWT that integrates passive bend–twist coupling with conventional pitch adjustment, thereby creating a hybrid passive–active control strategy. The methodology encompasses the definition of aerodynamic blade geometry, laminate optimization via genetic algorithms combined with finite element analysis, and experimental characterization of composite materials. Aerodynamic–structural interactions are studied using one-way fluid–structure simulations, with responses analyzed through the blade element momentum method to assess turbine performance. The results indicate that the proposed design enhances power generation by about 4%. The study’s originality lies in integrating optimization, structural tailoring, and material testing, offering one of the first demonstrations of combined passive–active pitch control in SWTs, and providing a cost-effective route to improve efficiency and reliability in decentralized renewable energy systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 2293 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Path Towards Decarbonization: The Role of Hydropower in the Generation Mix

by Fabio Massimo Gatta, Alberto Geri, Stefano Lauria, Marco Maccioni and Ludovico Nati

Energies 2025, 18(19), 5248; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195248 - 2 Oct 2025

Viewed by 310

Abstract

The evolution of the generation mix towards deep decarbonization poses pressing questions about the role of hydropower and its possible share in the future mix. Most technical–economic analyses of deeply decarbonized systems either rule out hydropower growth due to lack of additional hydro resources or take it into account in terms of additional reservoir capacity. This paper analyzes a generation mix made of photovoltaic, wind, open-cycle gas turbines, electrochemical storage and hydroelectricity, focusing on the optimal generation mix’s reaction to different methane gas prices, hydroelectricity availabilities, pumped hydro reservoir capacities, and mean filling durations for hydro reservoirs. The key feature of the developed model is the sizing of both optimal peak power and reservoir energy content for hydropower. The results of the study point out two main insights. The first one, rather widely accepted, is that cost-effective decarbonization requires the greatest possible amount of hydro reservoirs. The second one is that, even in the case of totally exploited reservoirs, there is a strong case for increasing hydro peak power. Application of the model to the Italian generation mix (with 9500 MWp and 7250 MWp of non-pumped and pumped hydro fleets, respectively) suggests that it is possible to achieve methane shares of less than 10% if the operating costs of open-cycle gas turbines exceed 160 EUR/MWh and with non-pumped and pumped hydro fleets of at least 9200 MWp and 28,400 MWp, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 3290 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Surface Complexity and Atmospheric Stability on Wind Shear and Turbulence in a Peri-Urban Wind Energy Site

by Wei Zhang, Elliott Walker and Corey D. Markfort

Energies 2025, 18(19), 5211; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195211 - 30 Sep 2025

Viewed by 289

Abstract

The large-scale deployment of wind energy underscores the critical need for accurate resource characterization to reduce uncertainty in power estimates and to enable the installation of wind farms in increasingly complex terrains. Accurate wind resource assessment in peri-urban and moderately complex terrains remains a significant challenge due to spatial heterogeneity in surface terrain features and atmospheric thermal stability. This study investigates the influence of surface complexity and atmospheric stratification on vertical wind profiles at a utility-scale wind turbine site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. One year of multi-level wind data from a 106-meter-tall meteorological tower were analyzed to quantify variations in the wind shear exponent

α

, wind direction veer, and horizontal turbulence intensity (TI) across open-field and complex-surface wind sectors and four thermal stability classes, defined by the bulk Richardson number

R i_{b}

. The results show that the wind shear exponent

α

increases systematically with atmospheric stability. Over the open-field terrain,

α

ranges from 0.11 in unstable conditions to 0.45 in strongly stable conditions, compared to 0.17 and 0.40 over the complex surface. A pronounced diurnal variation in

α

was observed, particularly during the summer months. Wind veer was greatest and exceeded 30° under strongly stable conditions over open terrain. Elevated TI values peaked at 32 m in height due to flow separation and wake turbulence from nearby vegetation and sloping terrain. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating terrain-induced and thermally driven variability into wind resource assessments to improve power prediction and turbine siting in complex heterogeneous terrain environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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31 pages, 1954 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Forecasting Short-Term Photovoltaic Energy Production to Optimize Self-Consumption in Home Systems Based on Real-World Meteorological Data and Machine Learning

by Paweł Kut and Katarzyna Pietrucha-Urbanik

Energies 2025, 18(16), 4403; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164403 - 18 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 674

Abstract

Given the growing number of residential photovoltaic installations and the challenges of self-consumption, accurate short-term PV production forecasting can become a key tool in supporting energy management. This issue is particularly significant in systems without energy storage, where excess production is fed back into the grid, reducing the profitability of prosumer investments. This paper presents an approach to forecasting short-term energy production in residential photovoltaic installations, based on real meteorological data and the use of machine learning methods. The analysis is based on measurement data from a functioning PV installation and a local weather station. This study compares three models: classical linear regression, Random Forest and the XGBoost algorithm. The method of data preparation, the model training process and the assessment of their effectiveness based on real energy production measurements are presented. This paper also includes a practical calculation example and an analysis of selected days in order to compare the forecast results with the actual production. Of the three models compared, the highest accuracy was achieved for XGBoost, with an MAE = 1.25 kWh, RMSE = 1.93 kWh, and coefficient of determination R² = 0.94. Compared to linear regression, this means a 66% reduction in MAE and a 41% reduction in the Random Forest model, confirming the practical usefulness of this method in a real-world environment. The proposed approach can be used in energy management systems in residential buildings, without the need to use energy storage, and can support the development of a more conscious use of energy resources on a local scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 3316 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Impact of Farm Biogas Plant Auxiliary Equipment on Electrical Power Quality

by Zbigniew Skibko, Andrzej Borusiewicz, Jacek Filipkowski, Łukasz Pisarek and Maciej Kuboń

Energies 2025, 18(14), 3849; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143849 - 19 Jul 2025

Viewed by 402

Abstract

Devices that meet the needs of agricultural biogas plants represent a significant share of the energy balance of the source. The digester mixer is a crucial component installed in the fermentation chamber. Energy consumption during mixing depends on the regime and intensity, as well as the rheological properties of the carrier liquid, the dry matter content, and the dimensions of the fibers. Bioreactor operators often oversize mixers and extend mixing duration to avoid disruptions in biogas production. This paper analyzed the influence of digester mixer operations on selected electrical power quality parameters. For this purpose, two agricultural biogas plants with a capacity of 40 kW, connected to the low-voltage grid, were studied (one located approximately 120 m from the transformer station and the second 430 m away). As shown by the correlations presented in the article, the connection point of the biogas plant significantly impacted the magnitude of the influence of mixer operations on the analyzed voltage parameters. In the second biogas plant, switching on the mixers (in the absence of generation) caused the grid voltage to drop to the lower value permitted by regulations. (Switching on the mixers caused a change in voltage by about 30 V.) The most disturbances were introduced into the grid when the power generated by the biogas plant was equal to the power consumed by its internal equipment. (THD_I then reached as high as 63.2%, while in other cases, it did not exceed 17%.) Furthermore, the operation of the mixers alone resulted in a reduction of approximately 1 MWh of energy exported to the power grid per month. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 2925 KB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation and Application for Line Impedance Between IBR and POM

by Woo-Hyun Kim, Ye-Chan Kim and Seung-Ho Song

Energies 2025, 18(12), 3135; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18123135 - 14 Jun 2025

Viewed by 508

Abstract

With the increasing integration of Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) into power grids, accurate estimation of line impedance between the Point of Connection (POC) and the Point of Measurement (POM) has become critical to ensure stable and efficient reactive power control. However, conventional impedance estimation methods often face challenges such as power quality degradation and sensitivity to voltage unbalance. This paper presents a method to improve the reactive power control performance of Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) by estimating the line impedance between the Point of Connection (POC) and the Point of Measurement (POM) and utilize the estimated impedance into control. The impact of voltage drop caused by line impedance on reactive power delivery is analyzed, and a compensation method is designed to mitigate the resulting control errors. The line impedance is estimated through a negative-sequence current injection technique, under the condition that the voltage phases at the two measurement points are synchronized. To address potential voltage unbalance issues that may arise during the injection process, a dedicated compensation algorithm is also proposed. The proposed algorithm is validated through both simulations and lab-scale experiments, demonstrating that the line impedance can be estimated with an error of less than 2%, while effectively compensating for reactive power distortion at the POM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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Review

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20 pages, 539 KB

Open AccessReview

Positive Energy Districts Enabling Smart Energy Communities

by Dimitrios Siakas, Harjinder Rahanu, Elli Georgiadou, Kerstin Siakas and Georgios Lampropoulos

Energies 2025, 18(12), 3131; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18123131 - 14 Jun 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1079

Abstract

Energy transitions concentrated on a neighborhood or district scale represent a fairly new area of focus at the European (EU) level, aiming to combat future global warming and to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the EU energy transition policy agenda, positive energy districts (PEDs) refer to urban areas where more renewable/zero-emissions energy is produced annually than is consumed. PEDs have increasingly grown in recognition and significance, as a societal solution geared towards a low-carbon future. The relevant aims include the utilization of 100 PEDs by 2025 and alignment with the EU, which seeks to become a climate-neutral continent by 2050. However, this target raises questions regarding the means of achieving fast and consistent adoption across various socio-technical contexts. Defining the opportunities, challenges, and key issues to address short-term project timelines is vital to implementing fit-for-purpose solutions and bringing PEDs into the mainstream. Proactive knowledge sharing, adaptive learning, and collaboration across disciplines and sectors will bring know-how for understanding the requirements in different contexts. The need for practical approaches to facilitate PED implementation is crucial. This study aims to elucidate the opportunities for and barriers to successful PED design and implementation by compiling and synthesizing experiences from 61 PED projects, identifying key drivers, challenges, enablers, and ethical considerations. In addition, the authors present a framework, consisting of moral principles, which can help present the issues concerning the development and deployment of PED in an ethical context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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Other

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47 pages, 6818 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Modelling, Simulation and Performance Analysis of Floating Photovoltaic Systems—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Oreoluwa Lawale, Simon P. Philbin and Sahand Hosouli

Energies 2025, 18(19), 5273; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195273 - 4 Oct 2025

Viewed by 695

Abstract

Research into floating photovoltaics (FPV) has seen a significant increase in recent years. Still, the observed outputs are poorly quantified, isolated, and occasionally contradictory, with reported cooling-induced efficiency increases varying widely across sources. To address the need for consensus in the field, a systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis were conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in FPV systems. 3751 articles were identified through Boolean queries on three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Using Python programming to ensure objectivity and replicability, the dataset was screened to 109 publications (subject to a manual, full-text review) relating strictly to modelling, simulation, and performance analysis of FPV systems with regard to the observed effect of reduced operating temperature. Focusing on these areas, this study provides a fundamental understanding of the temperature-based performance, as well as insights into the operation and simulation of FPV systems. Consistent temperature reductions were observed between ground-mounted and floating systems. Experimental data on FPV temperature were subject to a regression analysis, and the resulting equation was found to correspond well to a reported relation in the literature. The article concludes with a set of informed research directions to underpin the further development and implementation of FPV technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Light of Energy Transition Processes—2nd Edition)

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