Advanced Cooling and Heat Transfer Strategies for Energy-Efficient Renewable Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Renewable energy is important to achieving the goals of “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality”. The urgent need to improve the energy efficiency of renewable systems worldwide has increased the critical role played by advanced cooling and heat transfer strategies for ensuring efficiency, durability, and scalability. Cooling and heat transfer strategies are integral components in the design and operation of energy-efficient renewable systems. Their applications are widespread, including solar thermal plants, solar PV and PV/T systems, geothermal systems, wind turbines, battery storage, net-zero energy buildings, data centers, air source heat pump, and multi-source energy supply systems. Furthermore, effective cooling and heat transfer strategies also directly impact the performance, cost, and environmental sustainability of the systems they are serving.
This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between theoretical innovation and practical implementation by showcasing cutting-edge research in thermal science. 
Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Next-generation cooling technologies: Innovations in evaporative cooling, dry/wet/hybrid cooling, regenerative cooling systems, natural cooling sources and low-carbon cooling technologies for renewable systems, net-zero energy buildings, data centers, and beyond.
• Material-driven solutions: Advances in phase-change materials (PCMs), nanofluids, and thermally conductive composites for enhanced heat dissipation and energy storage.
• System optimization: Computational and experimental studies on heat exchanger design, cooling tower performance, and integration with renewable energy systems.
• Sustainability-driven approaches: Strategies to minimize water usage, reduce parasitic energy losses, and leverage waste heat recovery in renewable systems.

We cordially invite the submission of contributions that address these challenges through experimental, numerical, or theoretical frameworks. Interdisciplinary studies linking thermal science with energy policy, lifecycle analysis, or circular economy principles are also welcome to be submitted. We hope that this Special Issue will serve as a cornerstone for researchers and practitioners striving to overcome thermal bottlenecks in renewable systems, net-zero energy buildings, data centers, and beyond.

Dr. Suoying He
Prof. Xiang Huang
Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Ali
Guest Editors

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