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Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 15816

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhi Li

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Guest Editor

College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Interests: waste heat recovery; thermal energy storage; thermal management; thermo-electrochemical systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yonghong Xu

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Guest Editor

Mechanical Electrical Engineering School, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Beijing 100192, China
Interests: compressed air energy storage; battery management system; waste heat recovery; hybrid electric vehicle
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Various energy storage technologies can mitigate the fluctuations and intermittence of renewable energies and provide cleaner energy supplies for people to meet the goals of SDG7. Fast development and giant advances have been reported in energy storage technologies in recent years. To further extend the advantages of energy storage technologies and achieve a more sustainable society, enhancing energy efficiency and optimizing thermal design in energy storage systems are two of the most important technical routes, and they have been widely investigated worldwide. In view of this, this Special Issue aims to provide a temporary platform for spreading knowledge and solutions regarding energy storage systems from the aspects of enhancing energy efficiency and optimizing thermal design. We welcome the submission of original research articles, review articles, and other papers. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Thermal energy storage;
Electrochemical energy storage;
Compressed air energy storage;
Hydrogen energy storage;
Multi-scale composite energy storage;
Renewable energy utilization;
Heat-to-electricity technologies;
Thermal management of energy storage systems;
Distributed energy systems;
Other energy storage technologies.

Dr. Zhi Li
Dr. Yonghong Xu
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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

thermal energy storage
electrochemical energy storage
compressed air energy storage
multi-scale composite energy storage systems
energy efficiency
thermal management

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

28 pages, 4199 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable SOH Prediction Model for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on CPO-ELM-ABKDE with Uncertainty Quantification

by Meng-Xiang Yan, Zhi-Hui Deng, Lianfeng Lai, Yong-Hong Xu, Liang Tong, Hong-Guang Zhang, Yi-Yang Li, Ming-Hui Gong and Guo-Ju Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5205; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115205 - 5 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 918

Abstract

The battery management system (BMS) is crucial for the efficient operation of batteries, with state of health (SOH) prediction being one of its core functions. Accurate SOH prediction can optimize battery management, enhance utilization and range, and extend battery lifespan. This study proposes an SOH estimation model for lithium-ion batteries that integrates the Crested Porcupine Optimizer (CPO) for parameter optimization, Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) for prediction, and Adaptive Bandwidth Kernel Function Density Estimation (ABKDE) for uncertainty quantification, aiming to enhance the long-term reliability and sustainability of energy storage systems. Health factors (HFs) are extracted by analyzing the charging voltage curves and capacity increment curves of lithium-ion batteries, and their correlation with battery capacity is validated using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. The ELM model is optimized using the CPO algorithm to fine-tune input weights (IWs) and biases (Bs), thereby enhancing prediction performance. Additionally, ABKDE-based probability density estimation is introduced to construct confidence intervals for uncertainty quantification, further improving prediction accuracy and stability. Experiments using the NASA battery aging dataset validate the proposed model. Comparative analysis with different models demonstrates that the CPO-ELM-ABKDE model achieves SOH estimation with a mean absolute error (MAE) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) within 0.65% and 1.08%, respectively, significantly outperforming other approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems)

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24 pages, 2099 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pumped Hydro Storage in the Brazilian Power Industry: A Sustainable Approach to Expanding Renewable Energy

by Luciano José da Silva, Virginia Parente, José Oduque Nascimento de Jesus, Karla Patricia Oliveira Esquerre, Oz Sahin and Wanderbeg Correia de Araujo

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1911; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051911 - 24 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1938

Abstract

This study evaluates whether pumped hydro storage (PHS) systems are economically competitive compared to natural gas thermal power plants in meeting peak load demand in Brazil and identifies the barriers and challenges that hinder their widespread adoption. It also examines the strategies, market mechanisms, and policy implications necessary to improve the economic and operational viability of PHS, enabling greater integration of variable renewable energy sources into the Brazilian power system. Using the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) method, PHS is compared with natural gas thermoelectric plants for peak demand scenarios in Brazil. The results of simulations indicate that PHS is economically viable for operations exceeding seven hours per day, offering lower costs. In contrast, natural gas technologies are more cost-effective for shorter operations. The results provide two key contributions: they characterise the basic conditions under which PHS systems are more competitive than thermal power plants in meeting electricity demand, and they propose a methodology for calculating the LCOE of the analysed technological options, tailored to the Brazilian energy market. The conclusions highlight the potential of PHS to contribute to Brazil’s sustainable energy transition, provided that appropriate policies are implemented. These policies are especially crucial in scenarios where PHS is not economically competitive, to ensure compensation mechanisms for the flexibility services provided and the implementation of carbon pricing. Additionally, retrofitting existing hydropower plants to incorporate PHS components may reduce costs and mitigate environmental impacts compared to constructing new PHS facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems)

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28 pages, 7616 KB

Open AccessArticle

Boosting Solar Sustainability: Performance Assessment of Roof-Mounted PV Arrays Under Snow Considering Various Module Interconnection Schemes

by Ebrahim Mohammadi, Gerry Moschopoulos and Aoxia Chen

Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010329 - 4 Jan 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1841

Abstract

The transition to renewable energy sources is vital for achieving sustainability, and photovoltaic (PV) systems play a key role in this shift. However, their performance can be significantly affected in snowy conditions, where the irradiation and energy production are limited. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by developing a MATLAB/Simulink model that considers the impacts of snow layering and removal on roof-mounted photovoltaic arrays. This study investigates various module interconnection schemes—including Series, Series-Parallel, Total-Cross-Tied, Bridge-Linked, and Honey-Comb—to determine their impact on energy efficiency in snowy environments. Based on the results, when the modules are fully covered by uniform snow, the power losses can increase from 38.9% to 93.2% for all interconnection schemes by increasing the accumulated snow from 1 cm to 5 cm. When the modules are covered by nonuniform snow and the snow removal is considered the TCT scheme has the minimum power losses and the maximum efficiency, depending on the accumulated snow pattern. For the worst scenario, the power loss is 70.1% for TCT, 71.7% for SP, 72% for HC, 72.3% for BL, and 76.7% for series interconnection. For the other scenarios, almost a similar trend can be observed where the TCT interconnection has the maximum efficiency, and the series interconnection has the minimum efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems)

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20 pages, 4319 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reserve Technique in Integrating Large Sustainable Energy Sources: A Case Study of the Tunisian Grid

by Nouha Mansouri, Abderezak Lashab, Majid Ali, Chokri Bouchoucha, Josep Guerrero and Juan Vasquez

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10791; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310791 - 9 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2869

Abstract

The increasing integration of sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into the national electricity grid presents significant challenges in terms of frequency control and grid stability. Additionally, the imbalance between electricity supply and demand introduces dynamic frequency variations. However, according to the literature, the impact of high penetration of renewable energy sources on the Tunisian grid has not been extensively analyzed using power system simulator for engineering (PSS/E). This research paper explores how the primary reserve technique participates to maintain frequency within acceptable ranges in the Tunisian electrical grid. Individual generators contribute to the total power output, thereby influencing frequency deviation. The primary frequency control action by each generator is proportional to its frequency deviation and inversely proportional to its governing drop, which measures the generator’s sensitivity to frequency changes. This paper analyzes frequency stability in the Tunisian grid under scenarios with and without different rates of sustainable energy source penetration, which barely reached 3.5% in 2023. In Tunisia, the use of sustainable energy is essential not only for ensuring grid stability but for combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions, aligning with the country’s environmental goals. The transition to sustainable energy significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the power sector, offering a sustainable solution for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Dynamic simulations were conducted for the isolated Tunisian system, separate from the interconnected grid, focusing on the critical scenario of the loss of a large electricity production unit. This study also examined the absence of sustainable energy integration and the effects of integration of different rates of renewable energy to evaluate the impact of reserves on the continuity of the Tunisian electrical service. Simulation results, which considered a 2023 grid model, show that with an integration trial of 20% renewable energy and, in the worst-case scenario, which represents the loss of the largest production group in the grid, the primary reserve of a given group—defined by the quantity of active energy—can be rapidly deployed to restore the balance between electricity supply and demand. Thus, reserves are a crucial solution for maintaining frequency within reasonable limits and ensuring the continuity of electrical services in Tunisia with varying rates from 10% to 20% integration of different sustainable energy sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems)

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18 pages, 4001 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Heat Release Performance for Sorption Thermal Battery Based on Wave Analysis Method

by Meng Yu, Wei Liu, Yuchen Lin, Neng Gao, Xuejun Zhang and Long Jiang

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6654; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156654 - 3 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1601

Abstract

Recent developments in water-based open sorption thermal batteries (STBs) have drawn burgeoning attention due to their advantages of high energy storage density and flexible working modes for space heating. One of the main challenges is how to improve heat release performance, e.g., longer stable heat output and effective output temperature. This paper aims to explore the heat release performance of sorption thermal batteries based on wave analysis methods. Zeolite 13X is used for the experimental investigation in terms of the relative humidity of inlet gas, system air velocity, and the length of the reactor. The results demonstrate that the optimal stable temperature output time of the sorption thermal battery experimental rig is 80 min, and heat release per unit volume reaches 115.6 MJ for the most appropriate reactor length. Thus, the optimal heat release time of the STB under the condition of various relative humidity and air velocities is 152 min and 182 min, respectively, and the corresponding stable heat release could reach 161.1 MJ and 136.5 MJ, respectively. Therefore, the heat release performance of STBs could be adjusted by adopting the wave analysis method, which would facilitate the reactor design and system arrangement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems)

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Review

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26 pages, 6590 KB

Open AccessReview

Towards More Efficient PEM Fuel Cells Through Advanced Thermal Management: From Mechanisms to Applications

by Qian Wu, Zhiliang Dong, Xinfeng Zhang, Chaokai Zhang, Atif Iqbal and Jian Chen

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030943 - 24 Jan 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4769

Abstract

Proton membrane exchange fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide an important energy solution to decarbonizing transport sectors and electric systems due to zero carbon emission during the operating process, and how to enhance the system efficiency of PEMFCs is one of the most challengeable issues to hinder the large-scale commercial application of PEMFCs. In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted to explore the feasibility and techno-economic performance of advanced thermal management to promote the efficiency of PEMFC systems. The thermal management of PEMFCs can be implemented from two aspects: one is efficient cooling methods to maintain the PEMFC under proper working temperature range, and the other one is waste heat recovery from PEMFCs to improve the overall system efficiency. Concentrated on these topics, many achievements have been gained by academic and industrial communities, and it is imperative to analyze and conclude these experienced studies from mechanism, technology, and application aspects. Therefore, this review summarized the great advances of thermal management of PEMFCs with efficient cooling and waste heat recovery for the sake of improving the overall efficiency of PEMFC systems, providing guidelines for the future design and optimization of PEMFC systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Optimizing Thermal Design in Energy Storage Systems)

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