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Decarbonization of Energy and Materials for Sustainable Development

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 2928

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Renewable Energy Research Centre, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-2-9 Machiikedai, Koriyama, Fukushima 963-0298, Japan
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; reaction engineering; material chemistry; nano-structured alloys (intermetallic compounds, high-entropy alloys)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global warming poses a significant threat to society as our reliance on non-renewable energy sources continues to contribute to the global increase in CO2 emissions, exacerbating the issue of climate change. The decarbonization of energy production is crucial to addressing this pressing concern. Moreover, the processing of materials for various applications also plays a role in CO2 emissions, making sustainable materials essential to the achievement of zero-carbon legislation targets. The rapid advancement of sustainable materials is pivotal in mitigating the environmental impact of urban development and futuristic technologies. Embracing innovative solutions and technologies that promote sustainability is key to creating a more environmentally conscious society and securing a greener future for generations to come. By prioritizing decarbonization efforts, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient global community.

In summary, addressing the challenges of global warming and climate change requires a holistic approach that encompasses the decarbonization of energy production, the promotion of sustainable materials, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and transition to a circular economy. Through concerted efforts and collective action, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.

Dr. Yasukazu Kobayashi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • photovoltaic
  • hydrogen
  • energy storage devices
  • recycling
  • wastewater treatment
  • membrane technology
  • healthcare applications
  • electronics
  • life cycle assessment
  • machine learning and AI for decarbonization

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2662 KiB  
Article
An Investigation into the Ability of a Solar Photovoltaic–Hydrogen System to Meet the Electrical Energy Demand of Houses in Different Cities in Türkiye
by Yasin Özçelep, Gebrail Bekdaş, Sudi Apak and Zong Woo Geem
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 2886; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072886 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 340
Abstract
In this study, the annual electricity consumption of nine real houses from different cities in Türkiye was recorded on a monthly basis. The feasibility of meeting the electrical energy needs of houses with hydrogen and supplying the energy required for hydrogen production using [...] Read more.
In this study, the annual electricity consumption of nine real houses from different cities in Türkiye was recorded on a monthly basis. The feasibility of meeting the electrical energy needs of houses with hydrogen and supplying the energy required for hydrogen production using solar panels is examined. The annual electricity consumption of the houses was normalized based on house size. The solar panel area for hydrogen production needed for these houses was defined. Additionally, it was calculated that the average volumetric amount of hydrogen produced per hour during peak sun hours in the investigated cities was 1 m3/h. This approach reduced the solar panel area for hydrogen production by a factor of 1.7. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decarbonization of Energy and Materials for Sustainable Development)
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28 pages, 2079 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Life Cycle Cost and Environmental Impact Functions of NiZn Batteries by Using Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO)
by Ashwani Kumar Malviya, Mehdi Zarehparast Malekzadeh, Francisco Enrique Santarremigia, Gemma Dolores Molero, Ignacio Villalba Sanchis, Pablo Martínez Fernández and Víctor Yepes
Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6425; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156425 - 27 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2192
Abstract
This study aims to optimize the Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of NiZn batteries using Pareto Optimization (PO) and Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), which combine Pareto optimization and genetic algorithms (GA). The optimization focuses on the raw [...] Read more.
This study aims to optimize the Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of NiZn batteries using Pareto Optimization (PO) and Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), which combine Pareto optimization and genetic algorithms (GA). The optimization focuses on the raw material acquisition phase and the end-of-life phase of NiZn batteries to improve their sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The optimization methodology, programmed in MATLAB, is based on a formulation model of LCC and the environmental LCA, using data available from the Ecoinvent database, the OpenLCA software (V1.11.0), and other public databases. Results provide insights about the best combination of countries for acquiring raw materials to manufacture NiZn and for disposing of the waste of NiZn batteries that cannot be recycled. These results were automatically linked to some sustainability KPIs, such as global warming and capital costs, being replicable in case of data updates or changes in production or recycling locations, which were initially considered at Paris (France) and Krefeld (Germany), respectively. These results provided by an AI model were validated by using a sensitivity analysis and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) through an expert panel. The sensitivity analysis ensures the robustness of mathematical parameters and future variations in the market; on the other hand, the AHP validates the Artificial Intelligence (AI) results with interactions of human factors. Further developments should also consider the manufacturing and use phases in the optimization model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decarbonization of Energy and Materials for Sustainable Development)
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