Advances in Clean Energy Minerals for Low-Carbon Coal Utilization, Recycling, and Advanced Energy Conversion
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "H: Geo-Energy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2026 | Viewed by 188
Special Issue Editors
Interests: coal oxidation and coal applications; sustainable mining; clean energy minerals; soft computing applications in mining
Interests: coal/biomass valorization; coal-to-carbon materials; ash utilization; mineral beneficiation; REE recovery; carbon–ceramic composites; CFBC/CFB transition and emissions compliance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
A major problem underlying the advancement of clean energy minerals lies in the persistent reliance on coal as a major energy source despite its significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation, coupled with the insufficient integration of clean energy minerals into sustainable energy systems. Current coal-utilization technologies often exhibit low efficiency and high carbon intensity, while carbon capture and utilization approaches remain costly and technically challenging at scale. At the same time, valuable materials and energy streams from mining and industrial processes are underutilized, limiting progress toward circular economy objectives. Furthermore, the growing demand for advanced energy storage and conversion systems such as batteries, fuel cells, and micro- and nano-scale devices is placing increasing pressure on the sustainable supply and efficient use of critical minerals.
To address these interconnected challenges and reach a low-carbon future, innovative, multidisciplinary solutions that simultaneously decarbonize coal-based systems, enhance resource recovery and recycling, and accelerate the deployment of advanced energy technologies are required.
This Special Issue aims to explore cutting-edge research at the intersection of coal, clean energy minerals, and sustainable energy systems, as well as advancements in carbon emission reduction and utilization, including novel technologies for mitigating coal-related greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resource efficiency. Emphasis will also be placed on circular economy strategies, particularly recycling material and energy streams from mining and industrial processes.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Low-carbon coal utilization technologies (clean combustion, gasification, and liquefaction);
- Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in coal-based systems;
- Coal-to-value processes and carbon conversion pathways;
- Spontaneous combustion prevention and coal oxidation control;
- Clean energy minerals for sustainable energy systems;
- Critical minerals for batteries, fuel cells, and capacitors;
- Advanced energy storage technologies (Li-ion, solid-state, and flow batteries);
- Fuel cells and hydrogen energy systems;
- Capacitors and supercapacitors for energy storage;
- Micro- and nano-scale energy conversion systems;
- Recycling of material and energy streams in mining and industry;
- Waste-to-energy and by-product valorization;
- Bioenergy integration with coal and hybrid energy systems;
- Machine learning and AI applications in energy and mining systems;
- Process optimization and digitalization in clean energy systems.
Dr. Moshood Onifade
Dr. Samson Bada
Dr. Mutiu Kolade Amosa
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies 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 2600 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.
Keywords
- low-carbon coal utilization
- clean energy minerals
- carbon capture and utilization
- recycling of material and energy streams
- circular economy
- bioenergy
- energy storage systems
- batteries
- fuel cells
- capacitors
- micro- and nano-energy systems
- climate change mitigation
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
