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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2025) | Viewed by 12834

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcin Olkiewicz

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Guest Editor

Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, 75-343 Koszalin, Poland
Interests: quality management; management; international business; sustainability science; corporate social responsibility; environmental protection; environmental energy
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Dr. Norbert Chamier-Gliszczyński

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Economics, Koszalin University of Technology, 75-453 Koszalin, Poland
Interests: transport systems; logistics; city logistics; sustainable mobility; electromobility; smart cities; recycling; environmental energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The guest editors of Energies are seeking submissions for a Special Issue on the subject. “Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy”.

Sustainable energy development is an important element in the development of the modern economy of every country. Systemic actions taken by governments, enterprises and society are aimed, among others, at minimizing the effects of environmental degradation and improving the quality of life. Growing expectations and requirements of market stakeholders, technical and technological progress (Industry 4.0 concept), and economic and geopolitical changes increase the demand for energy. Therefore, investments in energy, especially renewable or derived from natural processes, can ensure the demand–supply balance and influence the improvement of environmental and economic aspects. The sustainable supply economy resulting from, among others, solar, wind, geothermal or biomass energy will result in a faster departure from traditional coal-fired sources, dependence on foreign energy suppliers, lower electricity bills and improvement of air quality and natural resources, both in rural and urban areas. Additionally, for example, the transition to ecological mobility generates a significant increase in the demand for electricity, which must be unconditionally linked to green energy. The quality of investments, devices, technologies, processes and know-how that are used as part of process activities to obtain green energy is a challenge for business entities and countries as well as many scientists. Various management systems, pro-quality policies, green innovations and operational activities related to production optimization, the use of recycled raw materials and the circular economy are seen as part of responsible management, corporate social responsibility, striving to maximize the value of business entities or improving the quality of life of society.

The Special Issue encourages the discussion and investigation of the impact of qualitative and environmental variables on energy (energy policy). We invite you to present qualitative and quantitative empirical scientific and technical research in this Special Issue. We hope that the information presented will result in knowledge transfer and various implementations in the field of sustainable energy.

Dr. Marcin Olkiewicz
Dr. Norbert Chamier-Gliszczyński
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 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

green energy, innovation and production
energy and climate
sustainable energy
quality management
quality of life
energy efficiency
energy and environmental security
energy economics
responsible management
quality and environmental systems in energy transformation
production management role in energy transformation
recycling management
energy markets
energy transformation
sustainable mobility
electromobility
environmental policies
environmental sustainability
Corporate Social Responsibility
Economy 4.0
Industry 4.0

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Related Special Issue

Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy: 2nd Edition in Energies (1 article)

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

39 pages, 4966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Transformation in the Construction Industry: Integrating Renewable Energy Sources

by Anna Horzela-Miś, Jakub Semrau, Radosław Wolniak and Wiesław Wes Grebski

Energies 2025, 18(9), 2363; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092363 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 192

Abstract

The development of the building sector to the use of renewable energy, more so in photovoltaic (PV) systems, is a great step toward enhanced environmental sustainability and improved energy efficiency. This study seeks to determine the economic, environmental, and operational effects of integrating a PV system into a Polish production plant for buildings. Case study methodology was followed with the help of actual operating histories and simulation modeling to present the estimates of carbon emission savings, cost savings, and power efficiency. Key findings illustrate that 31.8% of the business’s full-year supply of electricity is through the utilization of solar energy and that it saves as much as 10,366 kg CO₂ of emissions every year. The economic rationale of the system is provided in the form of a 3.6-year payback period against long-term savings of over EUR 128,000 in 26 years. This work also addresses the broader implications of energy storage and management systems on the basis of scalability and reproducibility of intervention at the building construction scale. This study provides evidence towards the requirement of informing decision-making by business managers and policy decisionmakers as a step towards the solution of issues of interest to the utilization of renewable energy at industrial levels towards world agenda harmonization for sustainability and business practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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23 pages, 2121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How to Mitigate the Risk of Late Payments? The Case of the Largest Polish Companies Selling Electricity in 2018–2023

by Anna Olkiewicz

Energies 2025, 18(8), 1918; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18081918 - 9 Apr 2025

Viewed by 236

Abstract

Companies operating in the energy market in Poland conduct business activity on the basis of special regulations applicable to this type of entity. However, they are, like any other entrepreneur, exposed to the risk of delays in payments, non-payment, restructuring, or even bankruptcy of their contractor. Appropriate instruments should be used to mitigate these risks. There are many methods available today to deal with trading risks. However, they should be tailored to the individual needs of each entrepreneur based on an in-depth analysis of its contractors. This article analyzes the five largest companies selling electricity in Poland in terms of the risk of late payments in the period 2018–2023. It turned out that in the surveyed companies in the period 2018–2013, the amount of receivables was constantly increasing, and the average recovery term was longer than the average payment term in enterprises in general. The real impact of delayed payments on the profitability of the surveyed companies was also calculated. Then, the available methods of transaction risk mitigation (tangible collateral, personal collateral, form of paying, other legal, banking and insurance instruments) were analyzed and described, and whether and to what extent they are used in the surveyed companies. The conducted research also allowed the author to conclude that, unfortunately, despite the existence of many instruments, they are not used due to the costs and formalities associated with their acquisition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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40 pages, 1509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Behavior of European Union Companies in Terms of Increasing Energy Efficiency from the Perspective of Achieving Climate Neutrality

by Małgorzata Sztorc

Energies 2025, 18(3), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030573 - 25 Jan 2025

Viewed by 689

Abstract

This article aims to identify and verify the actions taken by European Union companies related to improving energy efficiency with the requirements of the Fit for 55 packages and striving for climate neutrality by assessing the degree of implementation of pro-ecological solutions, identifying key challenges, and comparing differences in the level of energy transformation in the member states. This article attempts to assess actions related to minimizing energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by companies operating in the 27 European Union countries, based on statistical data from Eurostat databases. To analyze the obtained data, the diagnostic–descriptive method, principal component analysis, and the multi-criteria MOORA method were used. The conducted research procedure indicates differences in the level of adaptation of companies regarding the implementation of the goals resulting from the climate and energy package adopted by the European Union. Companies located in France, Sweden, and Finland demonstrate the highest level of energy transformation. On the other hand, a passive degree of adaptation in the transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is characterizes companies from Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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20 pages, 534 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

What Contributes to the Greening of the Polish Energy Industry? Pro-Environmental Inclusive Leadership and Pro-Environmental Behavior—A Moderation–Mediation Analysis

by Anna Rogozińska-Pawełczyk

Energies 2024, 17(17), 4337; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174337 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1043

Abstract

The functioning of the energy sector in Poland has been changing over recent years, influenced by growing concern for the environment. The concept of inclusive leadership can play a key role in the emergence of behavioral changes related to the development of environmental awareness and the initiation of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors by employees. The guiding objective of this study is to verify a moderated mediation model of the impact of pro-environmental consciousness (PEC) on the mediating role of the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment (PCFE) in pro-environmental inclusive leadership (PEIL) and pro-environmental work behavior (PEWB) relationships in the energy industry. By self-completing a survey questionnaire using the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method, responses were collected from 649 respondents employed in various energy industry organizations. Structural equation modelling based on maximum likelihood with bootstrap estimation was used to test the hypothesis model. The findings confirm the assumptions of the research model, demonstrating a direct relationship between pro-environmental inclusive leadership and pro-environmental work behavior. Additionally, a mediating condition was found, where the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment mediates the relationship between pro-environmental inclusive leadership and pro-environmental work behavior, and pro-environmental consciousness moderates this process. It was found that higher pro-environmental consciousness enhances the indirect effect of pro-environmental inclusive leadership on employees’ pro-environmental work behavior through the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment. This highlights the importance of the fulfillment of the psychological contract for the environment and a pro-environmental consciousness in the effectiveness of pro-environmental leadership. The analysis indicates that managers who apply a pro-environmental inclusive management style contribute to an increasingly pro-environmental consciousness and the promotion pro-environmental work behavior among employees. Furthermore, the indirect effect of green leadership on employees’ green actions, through the fulfillment of a psychological contract for the environment that is moderated by their pro-environmental consciousness, highlights the importance of environmentally conscious leaders in building effective employee–employer relationships. These relationships facilitate the implementation of initiatives that accelerate the pace of change and enhance efforts to build tomorrow’s modern energy industry based on low- and zero-carbon energy sources. Additionally, this is one of the first studies in the Polish energy industry to provide insight into the role and importance of green leadership and green behavior in the energy industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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16 pages, 401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electromobility Stage in the Energy Transition Policy—Economic Dimension Analysis of Charging Costs of Electric Vehicles

by Wojciech Lewicki, Mariusz Niekurzak and Ewelina Sendek-Matysiak

Energies 2024, 17(8), 1934; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17081934 - 18 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1525

Abstract

The available literature emphasizes that by 2040, electric vehicles may constitute up to 50% of the fleet of all passenger vehicles. This process will be one of the elements of the energy transformation and, at the same time, consistent with the idea of sustainable transport. As part of this research, the actual energy consumption and the range of electric vehicles were determined. This research was carried out using a selected group of electric cars from the most popular segments of passenger cars. The calculations were based on three charging scenarios: a home electrical network, a public alternating current (AC) charging station that allows charging with single-phase alternating current or alternating current, and a public direct current (DC) charging station that allows charging with direct current. The obtained results were compared with the results of cars with internal combustion and diesel engines after driving a 100-kilometer section of the route. In a broader scope, this research addresses the entities responsible for the energy transformation and the electromobility development strategy. In a narrower sense, vehicle users are considering the purchase of this type of vehicle for political, economic and technological reasons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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21 pages, 2555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Financial Aspects of Energy Investments in the Era of Shaping Stable Energy Development in Poland: A Case Study

by Marcin Olkiewicz, Joanna Alicja Dyczkowska and Anna Maria Olkiewicz

Energies 2023, 16(23), 7814; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16237814 - 28 Nov 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2119

Abstract

Investments in green energy are necessary due to, among other reasons, the growing expectations of stakeholders, climate change, limited natural resources, and improved quality of life. Unfortunately, the costs of implementing pro-environmental activities related to investing in technologies using alternative methods of obtaining energy are significant, which is why more and more entities are analyzing their profitability. The aim of this study, as part of a case study, is to assess the energy investment in PV panels in the logistics center (LC) being built in Central Pomerania. The analyzed investment fits into the activities of the development perspective of the renewable energy sources sector and is also very important from the perspective of shaping the conditions and stable development of the energy industry in Poland. The study proved that such a large investment, taking into account various forms of financing, will pay off within 15 years, which is a very good result from the point of view of its durability. The best variant of capital involvement is the option 20 (own capital)/80 (outsourced capital), which, among other things, confirms (in thousands of euros) NPV = 4.43, NPV (TGeBase) = 0.04, and NPV (CAPEX) = 4.32. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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16 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Spatial Differentiation of Agricultural Biomass Potential in Polish Voivodeships

by Dorota Janiszewska and Luiza Ossowska

Energies 2023, 16(19), 6828; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16196828 - 26 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1154

Abstract

The main aim of the article is to assess the potential of agricultural biomass and the possibility of its use for energy purposes in Polish voivodeships. Five sources of agricultural biomass were analyzed: straw, hay, waste wood from orchards, perennial energy crops, and natural fertilizers. For the purposes of the research, the theoretical and technical potential of agricultural biomass was estimated. The potential of agricultural biomass was estimated for Polish voivodeships based on the data of the 2020 Agricultural Census. The conducted research shows that Polish voivodeships have a significant theoretical potential for agricultural biomass. However, due to the fact that biomass is widely used in plant production (as a natural fertilizer) and animal production (as fodder or bedding), only about 40% of the identified theoretical potential can be used for energy purposes. The research also shows that the dominant source of agricultural biomass that can be used in Poland is straw from cereal crops. Moreover, a significant part of the identified potential is located in the western part of Poland (Wielkopolskie, Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Zachodniopomorskie voivodships) and partly in the east (Lubelskie voivodship). Although the possibility of using natural fertilizers for energy purposes has not been identified, the theoretical potential of which is very high, an increase in the importance of renewable energy from agricultural biogas plants should be expected in the near future. This is due to the changes taking place in the storage and management of natural fertilizers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

23 pages, 627 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a Solution for Renewable Energy Gaps: Spatial Analysis for Polish Strategy

by Patrycjusz Zarębski and Dominik Katarzyński

Energies 2023, 16(18), 6491; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186491 - 8 Sep 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4844

Abstract

The integration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into energy systems requires a meticulous assessment of various factors, spanning renewable energy potential, legal frameworks, technical considerations, community engagement, and consumer preferences. This article synthesizes a multifaceted discussion on the subject, focusing on the need for comprehensive analyses before deciding to implement SMRs. Drawing insights from geographic information systems (GIS) and lessons from renewable energy development in Poland, this paper underscores the significance of aligning energy strategies with local needs, emphasizing stakeholder participation. This study examines the factors influencing location attractiveness for various energy technologies, including small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), wind, solar, and hydroelectric power plants, within Poland. Employing 17 indicators sourced from Statistics Poland and URE, coupled with the application of the k-means algorithm, we outline four distinct clusters that delineate the zones of location attractiveness for SMRs and other renewable energy sources. While large and medium-sized cities exhibit optimal location attractiveness, coastal counties in northern Poland emerge as more suitable for renewable energy sources than for SMRs. The study outlines four distinct energy development strategies based on typologies of regions, each tailored to maximize the utility of available resources and minimize environmental impact. The strategies encompass renewable energy utilization, energy efficiency enhancement, energy diversification, and adaptation through innovation. Emphasizing the interplay between renewable energy potential, energy demand, and local conditions, the research suggests the strategic deployment of SMRs as part of an energy mix in areas where renewable energy resources are limited. By leveraging SMRs’ continuous energy production, these reactors can complement intermittent renewables, bolstering energy security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative Analysis and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Energy)

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