Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Energies Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issues
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 November 2025 | Viewed by 4877

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hassam Ur Rehman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI-02044 VTT Espoo, Finland
Interests: zero energy building; positive energy buildings; positive energy district; energy transition; energy system modelling; renewable energy systems integration; energy storages; energy flexibility; energy resilience in buildings and districts; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Building sector is important for cities around the world in its Climate Action efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In general, they are responsible for approximately 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of the emissions. Therefore, energy in the buildings, communities and districts is one of the main fields for the mitigation of emissions and ensuring a sustainable, self-sufficient and safe future. This can be done by enhancing the energy efficiency and using advanced energy systems components of onsite renewable energy generation, conversion, and storage technologies in buildings, communities and districts, which can offset the imported energy from the grids. Various raising concepts for net-zero/positive energy buildings and districts (NZPEBDs) have emerged in recent years to shape cities in to carbon-neutral communities in the near future. In addition to this, the climate change and energy crises (disruptive events) can cause reduction in the building’s energy performance and impact the occupant well-being and habitability conditions especially during the power outage. These buildings and districts can also support in reaching self-sufficiency, flexibility, engage users and provide energy resilience during outages.

For this Special Issue, authors are kindly invited to submit high-quality papers on one or more of the following topics related to advanced energy systems in buildings and districts:

Concepts, definitions and KPIs development of energy resilience nearly/net/zero and positive energy buildings/communities/districts;
Energy efficiency of buildings in communities and districts;
Advanced HVAC systems in buildings;
Heating/cooling energy and electricity demand;
Advanced short/long-term energy storage for heating/cooling/electricity and controls;
Renewable-based energy generations and smart controls;
Energy resiliency of the buildings during grid outages under various weather, economical, political conditions;
Energy resilience in buildings/districts;
Active and passive habitability and survivability conditions in the buildings/districts
Energy flexibility offered by buildings, communities and districts to the grid;
Energy self-sufficiency of the buildings, communities and districts;
Advanced simulation and optimization methods;
Experience and results from demos and monitoring sites;
Economic-, social- and policy-related aspects;
User’s acceptance and engagement in communities and districts.

Dr. Hassam Ur Rehman
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

nearly/net/zero and positive energy buildings/communities/districts
advanced energy systems
energy resiliency
energy flexibility
experience from demo sites
economic, social and policy aspects
user’s acceptance and engagement

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.

Related Special Issues

Advanced Energy Systems in Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts in Energies (12 articles)
Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient, Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts in Energies (17 articles)

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

28 pages, 2457 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Design Solutions in Terms of Heat and Electricity Demand with Actual Consumption in a Selected Swimming Pool Facility

by Anna Mika, Joanna Wyczarska-Kokot and Anna Lempart-Rapacewicz

Energies 2025, 18(18), 4939; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18184939 - 17 Sep 2025

Viewed by 355

Abstract

Facilities with high energy demands, such as swimming pools, face escalating costs in electricity and heating, exacerbated by economic instability and fluctuating energy prices. These facilities are often overdesigned to meet extreme peak demands, resulting in higher than necessary energy usage. Therefore, to reduce costs, diversification of heat sources and tailoring their efficiency to meet real-time needs is required. This study analyzes a swimming pool complex in Poland with a sports pool, a recreational pool, an outdoor pool, and a spa bath, comparing the initial design assumptions for the use of heat and electricity with actual consumption data. By incorporating a mix of energy sources, including cogeneration (combined heat and power), gas boilers, district heating, heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels, the system can flexibly adjust to market energy prices. An automated monitoring system continuously monitors energy use, identifies deviations, and helps pinpoint errors, allowing more precise and economical energy management. Detailed reports generated from meter readings enable comparisons with previous usage periods and guide future planning. A balance of energy production with consumption, adjustment of production to match demand, and configuration of equipment operation with defined parameters all contribute to an effective and cost-effective approach to facility energy management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

28 pages, 5775 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Wastewater Heat Recovery System as a Solution to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Buildings and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Technical, Financial, and Environmental Aspects

by Agnieszka Stec and Daniel Słyś

Energies 2025, 18(18), 4818; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18184818 - 10 Sep 2025

Viewed by 356

Abstract

Greywater can be a valuable energy source in buildings. Its advantages over other renewable energy resources include its daily availability, regardless of weather conditions. Consequently, wastewater heat exchangers are increasingly used in domestic hot water preparation systems. This article presents the results of tests on three DHW installation variants, including two integrated with various drain water heat recovery exchangers. A horizontal DWHR exchanger (a prototype of a new exchanger design) reduced the energy demand for hot water preparation by up to 29.6%, while a commercially available vertical DWHR unit (“tube-in-tube”) reduced this demand by up to 64.7%. This reduction was primarily influenced by the flow rate from the shower head and the mixed water temperature. Furthermore, a Life Cycle Cost analysis showed that, despite the additional costs associated with implementing DWHR exchangers, the traditional water heating method was the least cost-effective solution in all calculation cases. Furthermore, the tested wastewater heat exchangers significantly reduced CO₂ emissions compared to traditional water heating. This indicates the great potential of wastewater heat recovery systems in decarbonizing the building sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 2518 KB

Open AccessArticle

Costs of Modernization and Improvement in Energy Efficiency in Polish Buildings in Light of the National Building Renovation Plans

by Edyta Plebankiewicz, Apolonia Grącka and Jakub Grącki

Energies 2025, 18(17), 4778; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174778 - 8 Sep 2025

Viewed by 736

Abstract

Long-term renovation strategies (LTRSs) play a central role in achieving the European Union’s objective of a climate-neutral building stock by 2050. In Poland, the challenge is particularly acute: a majority of the building stock was constructed before 1990 and does not even meet basic thermal performance standards. In view of the state of the buildings in Poland and the assumptions made about obtaining the necessary energy parameters in the coming years, it is necessary to undertake thermal modernization measures. The purpose of the paper is to assess the economic efficiency of the variants of modernization of building stock in Poland, taking into account the constraints related to improving energy efficiency. Additionally, the article also points out the problem of discrepancies resulting from climate zones that may significantly affect the final primary energy results (on average, 5–15%). In order to achieve the objectives, the paper focuses on the analysis of energy sources. According to the overall score in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the best solutions, with a global priority of 0.46, are renewable energy sources (RESs). The evaluation of selected fuel types in the 2055 perspective, using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method, indicate favorable environmental performance by sources based on electricity, i.e., air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, and electric heating, which achieved the highest relative closeness to the ideal solution. Heat pump systems can reduce energy consumption by 26–41% depending on the building and heat pump type. The final analysis in the paper concerns different options for thermal modernization of a model single-family house, taking into account different energy sources and stages of thermal modernization work. The scenario involves the simultaneous implementation of all renovation measures at an early stage, resulting in the lowest investment burden over time and the most favorable economic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2108 KB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning Forecasting of Commercial Buildings’ Energy Consumption Using Euclidian Distance Matrices

by Connor Scott and Alhussein Albarbar

Energies 2025, 18(15), 4160; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154160 - 5 Aug 2025

Viewed by 579

Abstract

Governments worldwide have set ambitious targets for decarbonising energy grids, driving the need for increased renewable energy generation and improved energy efficiency. One key strategy for achieving this involves enhanced energy management in buildings, often using machine learning-based forecasting methods. However, such methods typically rely on extensive historical data collected via costly sensor installations—resources that many buildings lack. This study introduces a novel forecasting approach that eliminates the need for large-scale historical datasets or expensive sensors. By integrating custom-built models with existing energy data, the method applies calculated weighting through a distance matrix and accuracy coefficients to generate reliable forecasts. It uses readily available building attributes—such as floor area and functional type to position a new building within the matrix of existing data. A Euclidian distance matrix, akin to a K-nearest neighbour algorithm, determines the appropriate neural network(s) to utilise. These findings are benchmarked against a consolidated, more sophisticated neural network and a long short-term memory neural network. The dataset has hourly granularity over a 24 h horizon. The model consists of five bespoke neural networks, demonstrating the superiority of other models with a 610 s training duration, uses 500 kB of storage, achieves an R² of 0.9, and attains an average forecasting accuracy of 85.12% in predicting the energy consumption of the five buildings studied. This approach not only contributes to the specific goal of a fully decarbonized energy grid by 2050 but also establishes a robust and efficient methodology for maintaining standards with existing benchmarks while providing more control over the method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 6447 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Thermal Comfort with Adaptive Behaviours in South Australian Residential Buildings

by Szymon Firląg and Artur Miszczuk

Energies 2025, 18(13), 3498; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18133498 - 2 Jul 2025

Viewed by 355

Abstract

This study focuses on thermal comfort in residential buildings within the Iron Triangle area of South Australia, examining how indoor conditions influence residents’ comfort and adaptive behaviours. Conducted from June 2023 to February 2024 across 30 homes in Port Pirie, Port Augusta, and Whyalla, the research gathered data from 38 residents, who reported indoor comfort levels in living rooms and bedrooms. A total of 3540 responses were obtained. At the same time, the measurement of indoor conditions in the buildings was performed using a small HOBO MX1104 device. Using the Mean Thermal Sensation Vote (MTSV) concept, it was possible to determine the neutral operative temperature and temperature ranges for thermal comfort categories. According to the defined linear regression formula, the neutral temperature was 23.9 °C. In living rooms, it was slightly lower, at 23.7 °C, and in bedrooms, slightly higher, at 24.4 °C. For comparison, the neutral temperature was calculated based on the average Predicted Mean Vote (MPMV) and equal to 24.3 °C. Comparison of the regression curves showed that in terms of slope, the MPMV curve is steeper (slope 0.282) than the MTSV curve (slope 0.1726), and lies above it. Regarding the residents’ behaviour, a strong correlation was found between the operative temperature T_o and the degree of clothing I_cl in living rooms. Use of ceiling fans was also studied. A clear trend was also observed regarding window and door opening. The findings of the research can be used to inform the design and operation of residential buildings with a view to enhancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 2343 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Leveraging Social Innovation Tools for Advancing Innovative Technologies Towards a Just Energy Transition in Greece

by Paraskevi Giourka, Vasiliki Palla, Ioannis-Athanasios Zornatzis, Komninos Angelakoglou and Georgios Martinopoulos

Energies 2025, 18(13), 3435; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18133435 - 30 Jun 2025

Viewed by 385

Abstract

This study investigates the social and economic dimensions of Greece’s energy transition, focusing on the distinct contexts of mainland Western Macedonia and Insular Greece. Utilizing social innovation tools, including the Stakeholder Persona and the Iceberg Model, the research reveals significant regional variations in stakeholder concerns, priorities, and awareness levels regarding energy transition issues. Findings indicate that while Insular Greece prioritizes energy security and public acceptance of renewable energy solutions, mainland Greece emphasizes job security and economic diversification. The study highlights the necessity for tailored energy transition strategies that address local needs and foster community engagement. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of enhancing awareness and understanding of methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis to empower stakeholders in making informed decisions. Integrating insights from various layers of the Iceberg Model, this research provides a framework for developing innovative technologies and policies that support a fair and sustainable energy transition in Greece, ensuring that no community is left behind in the global shift towards sustainability. This comprehensive approach seeks to mitigate environmental impacts but also to create economic opportunities that align with each community’s social and cultural fabric. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2009 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Energy and Cost Performance in Residential Buildings: A Multi-Objective Approach Applied to the City of Patras, Greece

by Dionyssis Makris, Anastasia Antzoulatou, Alexandros Romaios, Sonia Malefaki, John A. Paravantis, Athanassios Giannadakis and Giouli Mihalakakou

Energies 2025, 18(13), 3361; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18133361 - 26 Jun 2025

Viewed by 555

Abstract

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is a critical pathway in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable urban development. This study introduces a simulation-based multi-objective optimization framework designed to enhance both the thermal and economic performance of residential buildings. A representative single-family dwelling located in Patras, Greece, served as a case study to demonstrate the application and scalability of the proposed methodology. The optimization simultaneously minimized two conflicting objectives: the building’s annual thermal energy demand and the cost of construction materials. The computational process was implemented using MATLAB’s Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm, supported by a modular Excel interface that enables the dynamic customization of design parameters and climatic inputs. A parametric analysis across four optimization scenarios was conducted by systematically varying the key algorithmic hyperparameters—population size, mutation rate, and number of generations—to assess their impact on convergence behavior, Pareto front resolution, and solution diversity. The results confirmed the algorithm’s robustness in producing technically feasible and non-dominated solutions, while also highlighting the sensitivity of optimization outcomes to hyperparameter tuning. The proposed framework is a flexible, reproducible, and computationally tractable approach to supporting early-stage, performance-driven building design under realistic constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3994 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Smart Charging Recommendation Framework for Electric Vehicles: A Machine-Learning-Based Approach for Residential Buildings

by Nikolaos Tsalikidis, Paraskevas Koukaras, Dimosthenis Ioannidis and Dimitrios Tzovaras

Energies 2025, 18(6), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18061528 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 758

Abstract

The transition to a decarbonized energy sector, driven by the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs), smart building technology, and the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs), has highlighted the need for optimized energy system planning. Increasing EV adoption creates additional challenges for charging infrastructure and grid demand, while proactive and informed decisions by residential EV users can help mitigate such challenges. Our work develops a smart residential charging framework that assists residents in making informed decisions about optimal EV charging. The framework integrates a machine-learning-based forecasting engine that consists of two components: a stacking and voting meta-ensemble regressor for predicting EV charging load and a bidirectional LSTM for forecasting national net energy exchange using real-world data from local road traffic, residential charging sessions, and grid net energy exchange flow. The combined forecasting outputs are passed through a data-driven weighting mechanism to generate probabilistic recommendations that identify optimal charging periods, aiming to alleviate grid stress and ensure efficient operation of local charging infrastructure. The framework’s modular design ensures adaptability to local charging infrastructure within or nearby building complexes, making it a versatile tool for enhancing energy efficiency in residential settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advanced Energy Systems in Energy Resilient and Flexible Zero/Positive Energy Buildings, Communities and Districts

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issues

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI