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Advancements in Sustainable Energy Technologies: Innovations, Integration, and Impact

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 April 2025 | Viewed by 8808

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: energy and environmental application; coal/biomass gasification/pyrolysis and CFD simulation; DFT; algae cultivation
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Guest Editor
Institute of Energy Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Interests: energy and environmental; hydrogen production; synthesis of low-carbon fuel
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Interests: alternative fuels such as ammonia and biofuels, fundamental combustion properties measurement and simulation; reaction kinetic mechanism validation and optimization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The transition towards sustainable energy systems is an urgent global priority to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future. As the demand for clean and renewable energy solutions continues to rise, it is essential to explore and showcase the latest advancements in sustainable energy technologies. Therefore, the Energies journal is launching a Special Issue dedicated to "Advancements in Sustainable Energy Technologies: Innovations, Integration, and Impact", to provide a platform for researchers and experts to contribute their groundbreaking research and insights in this critical field.

This Special Issue aims to shed light on cutting-edge research and innovations that can accelerate the adoption and integration of sustainable energy technologies. It will encompass a broad range of topics, including renewable energy sources, energy storage and conversion, smart grid technologies, energy efficiency, the electrification of transportation, environmental impact assessment, policy implications, and societal perspectives.

Researchers, scientists, engineers, and industry experts are invited to submit original research articles, review papers, and technical notes that align with the scope of this Special Issue. Potential topics for submission include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Novel advancements in solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass, and ocean energy technologies;
  • Breakthroughs in energy storage solutions such as battery technologies, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage;
  • Innovations in smart grid systems, microgrids, and demand response for efficient energy management;
  • Energy-efficient building technologies, industrial process optimization, and sustainable energy conservation strategies;
  • Developments in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and intelligent mobility solutions;
  • Life cycle assessment and environmental impact evaluation of sustainable energy systems;
  • Policy frameworks, economic analyses, and social considerations influencing the adoption of sustainable energy technologies.

Dr. Sunel Kumar
Dr. Dingkun Yuan
Dr. Xinlu Han
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

  • hydrogen
  • CO2 capture and storage
  • gasification and pyrolysis
  • coal and biomass
  • ammonia conversion
  • bunsen reaction
  • life cycle assessment
  • air pollutant
  • ansys and aspen plus simulation
  • tube furnace and drop tube furnace
  • waste to energy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 7199 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning Techniques for Spatio-Temporal Air Pollution Prediction to Drive Sustainable Urban Development in the Era of Energy and Data Transformation
by Mateusz Zareba, Szymon Cogiel, Tomasz Danek and Elzbieta Weglinska
Energies 2024, 17(11), 2738; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112738 - 4 Jun 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1353
Abstract
Sustainable urban development in the era of energy and digital transformation is crucial from a societal perspective. Utilizing modern techniques for analyzing large datasets, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, enables a deeper understanding of historical data and the efficient prediction of future [...] Read more.
Sustainable urban development in the era of energy and digital transformation is crucial from a societal perspective. Utilizing modern techniques for analyzing large datasets, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, enables a deeper understanding of historical data and the efficient prediction of future events based on data from IoT sensors. This study conducted a multidimensional historical analysis of air pollution to investigate the impacts of energy transformation and environmental policy and to determine the long-term environmental implications of certain actions. Additionally, machine learning (ML) techniques were employed for air pollution prediction, taking spatial factors into account. By utilizing multiple low-cost air sensors categorized as IoT devices, this study incorporated data from various locations and assessed the influence of neighboring sensors on predictions. Different ML approaches were analyzed, including regression models, deep neural networks, and ensemble learning. The possibility of implementing such predictions in publicly accessible IT mobile systems was explored. The research was conducted in Krakow, Poland, a UNESCO-listed city that has had long struggle with air pollution. Krakow is also at the forefront of implementing policies to prohibit the use of solid fuels for heating and establishing clean transport zones. The research showed that population growth within the city does not have a negative impact on PMx concentrations, and transitioning from coal-based to sustainable energy sources emerges as the primary factor in improving air quality, especially for PMx, while the impact of transportation remains less relevant. The best results for predicting rare smog events can be achieved using linear ML models. Implementing actions based on this research can significantly contribute to building a smart city that takes into account the impact of air pollution on quality of life. Full article
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17 pages, 15115 KiB  
Article
Emerging Trends and Challenges in Pink Hydrogen Research
by Pablo Fernández-Arias, Álvaro Antón-Sancho, Georgios Lampropoulos and Diego Vergara
Energies 2024, 17(10), 2291; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102291 - 10 May 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2389
Abstract
Pink hydrogen is the name given to the technological variant of hydrogen generation from nuclear energy. This technology aims to address the environmental challenges associated with conventional hydrogen production, positioning itself as a more sustainable and eco-efficient alternative, while offering a viable alternative [...] Read more.
Pink hydrogen is the name given to the technological variant of hydrogen generation from nuclear energy. This technology aims to address the environmental challenges associated with conventional hydrogen production, positioning itself as a more sustainable and eco-efficient alternative, while offering a viable alternative to nuclear power as a source of electricity generation. The present research analyzes the landscape of pink hydrogen research, an innovative strand of renewable energy research. The methodology included a comprehensive search of scientific databases, which revealed a steady increase in the number of publications in recent years. This increase suggests a growing interest in and recognition of the importance of pink hydrogen in the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The results reflect the immaturity of this technology, where there is no single international strategy and where there is some diversity of research topic areas, as well as a small number of relevant topics. It is estimated that the future development of Gen IV nuclear reactors, as well as Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designs, will also favor the implementation of pink hydrogen. Full article
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18 pages, 5412 KiB  
Article
Potentials of Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP)-Based Optimization for Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production and Development Pathways in China
by Jiani Mao, Guangxue Zhang, Zhongqian Ling, Dingkun Yuan, Maosheng Liu and Jiangrong Xu
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1694; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071694 - 2 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1164
Abstract
Hydrogen (H2) is considered one of the main pillars for transforming the conventional “dark” energy system to a net-zero carbon or “green” energy system. This work reviewed the potential resources for producing low-carbon hydrogen in China, as well as the possible [...] Read more.
Hydrogen (H2) is considered one of the main pillars for transforming the conventional “dark” energy system to a net-zero carbon or “green” energy system. This work reviewed the potential resources for producing low-carbon hydrogen in China, as well as the possible hydrogen production methods based on the available resources. The analysis and comparison of the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) for different hydrogen production pathways, and the optimal technology mixes to produce H2 in China from 2020 to 2050 were obtained using the mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) optimization model. The results were concluded as three major ones: (a) By 2050, the LCOH of solar- and onshore-wind-powered hydrogen will reach around 70–80 $/MWh, which is lower than the current H2 price and the future low-carbon H2 price. (b) Fuel costs (>40%) and capital investments (~20%) of different hydrogen technologies are the major cost components, and also are the major direction to further reduce the hydrogen price. (c) For the optimal hydrogen technology mix under the higher renewable ratio (70%) in 2050, the installed capacities of the renewable-powered electrolysers are all more than 200 GW, and the overall LCOH is 68.46 $/MWh. This value is higher than the LCOH (62.95 $/MWh) of the scenario with higher coal gasification with carbon capture and the storage (CG-CCS) ratio (>50%). Overall, this work is the first time that hydrogen production methods in China has been discussed comprehensively, as well as the acquisition of the optimal H2 production technology mix by the MILP optimization model, which can provide guidance on future hydrogen development pathways and technology development potential in China. Full article
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Review

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35 pages, 3850 KiB  
Review
Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: Critical Overview and Recent Advances
by Periklis Kyriakos, Evangelos Hristoforou and George V. Belessiotis
Energies 2024, 17(13), 3159; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133159 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2017
Abstract
Graphitic carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) is one of the most utilized graphitic materials in hydrogen (H2) production via photocatalytic water splitting. Thus, a detailed critical overview, updated with the most recent works, has been performed on the synthesis [...] Read more.
Graphitic carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) is one of the most utilized graphitic materials in hydrogen (H2) production via photocatalytic water splitting. Thus, a detailed critical overview, updated with the most recent works, has been performed on the synthesis methods, modification techniques, characterization, and mechanisms of g-C3N4 and g-C3N4-based composite materials, with the aim of clarifying the optimum course towards highly efficient hydrogen-producing photocatalysts based on this promising material. First, the synthesis methods for different morphologies of pure g-C3N4 (bulk, nanosheets, nanotubes and nanodots) are critically analyzed in detail for every step and parameter involved, with special mention regarding the modification methods of g-C3N4 (doping and composite formation). Next, the most common results of g-C3N4 characterization, regarding structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties, are presented and analyzed. Then, a detailed critical survey of the mechanisms, using g-C3N4 and g-C3N4-based composites during photocatalytic activity, is performed with a focus on their effect on their hydrogen production capabilities via water splitting. This review aims to provide a clear image of all aspects regarding the use of g-C3N4 for photocatalysis, as well as a comprehensive guide for research targeted towards this promising graphitic material. Full article
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72 pages, 21240 KiB  
Review
Reactor and Plant Designs for the Solar Photosynthesis of Fuels
by Simge Naz Degerli, Alice Gramegna, Matteo Tommasi, Gianguido Ramis and Ilenia Rossetti
Energies 2024, 17(13), 3112; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133112 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1089
Abstract
Solar-boosted photo-technology stands out as a powerful strategy for photosynthesis and photocatalytic processes due to its minimal energy requirements, cost-effectiveness and operation under milder, environmentally friendly conditions compared to conventional thermocatalytic options. The design and development of photocatalysts have received a great deal [...] Read more.
Solar-boosted photo-technology stands out as a powerful strategy for photosynthesis and photocatalytic processes due to its minimal energy requirements, cost-effectiveness and operation under milder, environmentally friendly conditions compared to conventional thermocatalytic options. The design and development of photocatalysts have received a great deal of attention, whereas photoreactor development must be studied deeper to enable the design of efficient devices for practical exploitation. Furthermore, scale-up issues are important for this application, since light distribution through the photoreactor is a concurrent factor. This review represents a comprehensive study on the development of photoreactors to be used mainly for the photoreduction of CO2 to fuels, but with concepts easily transferable to other photosynthetic applications such as ammonia synthesis and water splitting, or wastewater treatment, photovoltaics combined to photoreactors, etc. The primary categories of photoreactors are thoroughly examined. It is also explained which parameters influence the design of a photoreactor and next-generation high-pressure photoreactors are also discussed. Last but not least, current technologies for solar concentrators are recalled, considering their possible integration within the photoreactor. While many reviews deal with photocatalytic materials, in the authors’ view, photoreactors with significant scale and their merged devices with solar concentrators are still unexploited solutions. These are the key to boost the efficiency of these processes towards commercial viability; thus, the aim of this review is to summarise the main findings on solar photoreactors for the photoreduction of CO2 and for related applications. Full article
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