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Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2026) | Viewed by 9880

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Simon Muhič

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Guest Editor

1. Faculty of Industrial Engineering Novo Mesto, Šegova Ulica 112, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
2. Institute for Renewable Energy and Efficient Exergy Use, INOVEKS d.o.o, Cesta 2. Grupe Odredov 17, 1295 Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia
3. Rudolfovo—Science and Technology Centre, Podbreznik 15, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Interests: energy system; energy management; life cycle assessment; energy efficiency; renewable energy

Prof. Dr. Ante Čikić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Mechatronics, University North, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
Interests: electricity grid; energy modeling; life cycle assessment; numerical calculation; cost–benefit analysis; small-scale rooftop PV systems; sustainability of power plants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern energy systems are undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by the urgent need for sustainability, decarbonization, and resilience. The increase in adoption of renewable energy sources, the electrification of key sectors, increases in energy demand, and the growing complexity of energy networks are significantly affecting how we manage and optimize energy use across sectors.

To achieve environmental goals, energy security, and economic performance, energy efficiency and energy management are becoming central pillars. Improving efficiency across residential, transportation, and industrial sectors reduces energy use, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances system resilience. Strategies such as smart controls, retrofitting, and behavior-based interventions are playing a growing role in optimizing energy use. In parallel, digital technologies and AI are unlocking new potential for real-time monitoring and adaptive energy systems.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is recognized as an essential tool for evaluating the full environmental impacts of energy systems, from resource extraction to end-of-life. LCA provides a holistic perspective, enabling decision-makers to avoid burden shifting and to identify truly sustainable energy solutions.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent research and innovations in the fields of energy efficiency strategies, integration of renewable energy sources, energy management, and LCA applications for sustainable energy systems. Contributions may include theoretical developments, methodological advancements, case studies, and applications across industry, buildings, transportation, and the energy sector.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

Energy efficiency in residential, transport, and industrial sectors;
Renewable technologies and integration of renewable energy;
Life cycle assessment of energy systems, buildings and sustainable mobility;
Multi-energy system optimization (electricity, heat, cooling, hydrogen);
Smart energy management and control strategies;
AI and digitalization in energy use;
Circular economy in energy systems;
Energy performance assessment;
Policy and economic aspects of energy sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Simon Muhič
Prof. Dr. Ante Čikić
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

energy system
energy management
life cycle assessment
energy efficiency
renewable energy

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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28 pages, 4808 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Renewable Systems Integrating Hydrogen, Battery Storage and Smart Market Platforms for Decarbonized Energy Futures

by Antun Barac, Mario Holik, Kristijan Ćurić and Marinko Stojkov

Energies 2026, 19(2), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19020331 - 9 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1386

Abstract

Rapid decarbonization and decentralization of power systems are driving the integration of renewable generation, energy storage and digital technologies into unified energy ecosystems. In this context, photovoltaic (PV) systems combined with battery and hydrogen storage and blockchain-based platforms represent a promising pathway toward sustainable and transparent energy management. This study evaluates the techno-economic performance and operational feasibility of integrated PV systems combining battery and hydrogen storage with a blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading platform. A simulation framework was developed for two representative consumer profiles: a scientific–educational institution and a residential household. Technical, economic and environmental indicators were assessed for PV systems integrated with battery and hydrogen storage. The results indicate substantial reductions in grid electricity demand and CO₂ emissions for both profiles, with hydrogen integration providing additional peak-load stabilization under current cost constraints. Blockchain functionality was validated through smart contracts and a decentralized application, confirming the feasibility of P2P energy exchange without central intermediaries. Grid electricity consumption is reduced by up to approximately 45–50% for residential users and 35–40% for institutional buildings, accompanied by CO₂ emission reductions of up to 70% and 38%, respectively, while hydrogen integration enables significant peak-load reduction. Overall, the results demonstrate the synergistic potential of integrating PV generation, battery and hydrogen storage and blockchain-based trading to enhance energy independence, reduce emissions and improve system resilience, providing a comprehensive basis for future pilot implementations and market optimization strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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30 pages, 5482 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Merit-Order Shifts in District Heating Networks: A Life Cycle Assessment Method for High-Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Integration

by Niklas Scholliers, Max Ohagen, Liselotte Schebek, Ingo Sass and Vanessa Zeller

Energies 2026, 19(1), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010212 - 31 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 803 | Correction

Abstract

District heating networks (DHNs) are a key technology in the transition toward sustainable heat supply, increasingly integrating renewable sources and thermal energy storage. High-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage (HT-ATES) can enhance DHN efficiency by shifting heat production over time, potentially reducing both costs and greenhouse gas emissions. However, most life cycle assessments (LCAs) remain static, rely on average data, and neglect temporal dispatch dynamics and marginal substitution among heat sources for environmental evaluation. This study introduces a dynamic life cycle inventory framework that explicitly links HT-ATES-operation scheduling in DHNs with marginal life cycle data. The framework expands system boundaries to capture time-varying changes in heat composition, combines a district heating merit-order representation (distinguishing must-run and flexible capacities) with linear programming to determine least-cost dispatch, and translates marginally displaced technologies into environmental and economic consequences. Foreground inputs are derived from an existing third-generation DHN (heat demand, generation assets, efficiencies) and publicly available energy carrier cost data and are linked to consequential background inventory datasets (ecoinvent). The framework is demonstrated for one year of operation for an HT-ATES concept with 50 GWh of injected heat. Hourly resolved results identify the marginally displaced technologies and indicate annual reductions of 5.86 kt CO₂e alongside cost savings of EUR 1.09 M. A comparison of alternative operation schedules shows strong sensitivity of both economic and environmental performance to operational strategy. Overall, the proposed framework provides a replicable and adaptable basis for consequential assessment of HT-ATES operation in DHNs and supports strategic decision-making on seasonal thermal storage deployment in low-carbon heat systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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13 pages, 1424 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Behaviour of Energy Transfer Station Real Field Performance Compared to Ideal Laboratory Conditions

by Miha Bobič, Mojca Povalej and Andrej Kitanovski

Energies 2026, 19(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010101 - 24 Dec 2025

Viewed by 489

Abstract

District energy is one of the most efficient heat distribution systems. The interface between the pipe network and buildings is made of thermal and hydraulic separation units named stations. The control of temperature on the secondary side is handled in substations. Several parameters influence control stability, such as differential pressure, mass flow, temperatures, valve inherent characteristics and controller tuning. There are different design approaches for stations in different geographies. However, one option is a generalist control loop setup, which is analysed here. Four sites in Sweden were monitored for performance (during the winter period and with the same hardware setups), and an analysis of the variability of controller tuning parameters was performed. For the purposes of laboratory comparison, the tests were executed with different configurations of generic control loop setups. The results, arranged into distribution histograms, show similarities between the laboratory and field setups. One can see that well-performing setups are close to a normal distribution, while the others are not. One key parameter is the controller setup and algorithm used. Proper tuning of the controller, together with differential pressure control, secures optimal performance of district energy stations. District heating stations with operations closer to the set point positively influence the performance of the whole grid and therefore improve the energy efficiency of the stations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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24 pages, 1897 KB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Impact of Slovenian and Croatian Electricity Generation Using an Hourly Production-Based Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment Approach

by Jelena Topić Božič, Ante Čikić and Simon Muhič

Energies 2025, 18(18), 4826; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18184826 - 11 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1294

Abstract

A temporal and dynamic approach to the environmental impact of electricity production is necessary to accurately determine its impact. This study aimed to assess the environmental impacts of domestic electricity generation technologies in Slovenia and Croatia using a production-based dynamic life cycle assessment approach for 2020–2024. Hourly resolved actual generation per production type from the ENTSO-E Transparency platform was used and mapped to the Ecoinvent electricity generation datasets. The results showed lower impacts in the climate change category, which correlated with periods of higher renewable contributions. The relative standard deviation values were 21.6% and 18.6% for Slovenia and Croatia, respectively. A higher average impact on resource use, minerals and metals was observed in the Croatian electricity production mix. In Slovenia, significant fluctuations in solar power generation led to a high coefficient of variation of 90.5% in the resource use, minerals and metals impact category, with higher values observed in summer owing to the seasonality of photovoltaic generation. Conversely, Croatia exhibited substantial hourly variability in wind power generation (6.0–629.3 MW), with a relative standard deviation of 18.9%. The results highlight the potential for optimizing the operation of flexible appliances and electric vehicle charging based on real-time emission intensity, contributing to lower environmental impacts through smarter energy use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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27 pages, 2932 KB

Open AccessArticle

Increasing the Ecological Efficiency of Monocrystalline Photovoltaic Power Plants by Management Their Life Cycle Assessment

by Adam Idzikowski, Patryk Leda, Izabela Piasecka, Tomasz Cierlicki and Magdalena Mazur

Energies 2025, 18(17), 4775; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174775 - 8 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1325

Abstract

This study’s objectives were to evaluate the life cycle of a 2 MW solar power plant in northern Poland and provide suggestions for enhancing this kind of installation’s environmental performance. Eight years of operating data were examined under the assumption that 2000 MWh of energy was produced annually on average. The evaluation took into account two waste management scenarios—landfill and recycling—and was carried out in accordance with the ReCiPe 2016 methodology. Human health and water resource usage had the most environmental effects (7.08 × 10⁵ Pt—landfill), but recycling greatly reduced these effects (−3.08 × 10⁵ Pt). Terrestrial ecosystems were negatively impacted by the turbines’ water consumption (8.94 × 10⁵ Pt—landfill), which was lessened in the recycling scenario. The water and soil environment was greatly impacted by released pollutants, such as zinc and chlorinated hydrocarbons, whose emissions were greatly decreased by material recovery. Particularly detrimental was sulfur dioxide (SO₂), which is the cause of PM 2.5 particle matter, which is dangerous to the public’s health. Recycling has helped to lower these pollutants and enhance the quality of the air. Reducing methane and other greenhouse gas emissions can help reduce CO₂ emissions, which were the most significant factor in the context of climate change (1.91 × 10⁴ Pt—landfilling). Recycling lessened these impacts and decreased the need to acquire virgin raw materials, but landfilling was linked to soil acidification and the depletion of mineral resources. According to the findings, even “green” technology, like photovoltaics, can have detrimental effects on the environment if they are not properly handled at the end of their useful lives. Recycling is turning out to be a crucial instrument for lowering negative effects on the environment, increasing resource efficiency, and safeguarding public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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26 pages, 2473 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Strategic Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Adoption: A Combined SWOT-AHP Approach

by Mladen Bošnjaković and Robert Santa

Energies 2025, 18(16), 4221; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164221 - 8 Aug 2025

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3087

Abstract

The integration of renewable energy technologies into the building sector is critical for achieving climate and energy targets, particularly within the framework of the European Union’s decarbonization policies. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) offer a promising solution by enabling the dual function of building envelope components and on-site electricity generation. However, the widespread adoption of BIPV faces significant barriers, including high initial investment costs, design and integration complexity, fragmented standardisation and a shortage of skilled labour. This study systematically identifies, evaluates and prioritises the key factors influencing the implementation of BIPV technologies using a hybrid SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. A comprehensive literature review and a modified Delphi method involving expert input were employed to select and rank the most relevant factors in each SWOT category. The results indicate that external factors—particularly regulatory requirements for energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption and financial incentives—are the most significant drivers for BIPV deployment. Conversely, competition from building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), high investment costs and the complexity of integration represent the main barriers and threats, compounded by internal weaknesses such as a lack of qualified workforce and fragmented standardisation. The findings underscore the importance of targeted regulatory and financial support, standardisation and workforce development to accelerate BIPV adoption. This research provides a structured decision-making framework for policymakers and stakeholders, supporting strategic planning for the integration of BIPV in the construction sector and contributing to the transition towards sustainable urban energy systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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1 pages, 156 KB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Scholliers et al. Modeling Merit-Order Shifts in District Heating Networks: A Life Cycle Assessment Method for High-Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Integration. Energies 2026, 19, 212

by Niklas Scholliers, Max Ohagen, Liselotte Schebek, Ingo Sass and Vanessa Zeller

Energies 2026, 19(6), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19061391 - 10 Mar 2026

Viewed by 264

Abstract

Multiple minor text corrections were made to the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Management and Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Energy)

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