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Towards Sustainable Energy Transition: Replacing Fossil Fuels-Based Energy with Waste-Derived and Renewable Energy

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 8538

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carmen Bartolomé

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CIRCE–Technology Centre, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: decarbonization strategies; biomass; sustainability; waste valorisation; recycling technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Clara Jarauta-Córdoba

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CIRCE–Technology Centre, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: industrial decarbonization; biomass; bioenergy; valorisation; thermochemical technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessandro Carmona

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CIRCE–Technology Centre, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: Industrial decarbonization; waste into biogas; biogas bioconversion into molecules of added value; microbial electrochemistry fundamentals; electrons transfer mechanisms among bacteria and electrode materials; wastewater treatment through microbial fuel cells; microbial electrosynthesis of molecules from CO2
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Given the challenging decarbonization goals established by Europe for 2050, there is an urgent need to replace fossil fuels-based energy with renewable energy technologies. Industries are responsible for around 1/3 of the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, of which 90% is contributed by the top 10 industries. For example, in 2014, Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) were responsible for over one-third of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions, totaling more than 508 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

The aim of this Special Issue is to compile relevant research that address the substitution of fossil fuel-based energy with waste-derived energy, particularly focusing on the sustainability of the transition processes. We invite submissions of original research articles and reviews, in areas that may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Biomethane as a renewable source of energy in EIIs;
  • Renewable syngas production optimization to substitute fossil fuel-based energy;
  • Biomass as a renewable and sustainable substitute of fuels in EIIs;
  • New value chains from waste to produce different energy carriers;
  • Life cycle assessment in waste value chains;
  • Green hydrogen from waste as a source of energy for EIIs.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Best regards,

Dr. Carmen Bartolomé
Dr. Clara Jarauta-Córdoba
Dr. Alessandro Carmona
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

  • decarbonization
  • waste valorization
  • energy efficiency
  • GHG emissions mitigation
  • biomethane
  • biomass
  • renewable energy

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5685 KiB  
Article
Deep Learning Techniques for Enhanced Flame Monitoring in Cement Rotary Kilns Using Petcoke and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
by Jorge Arroyo, Christian Pillajo, Jorge Barrio, Pedro Compais and Valter Domingos Tavares
Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 6862; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166862 - 9 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1781
Abstract
The use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement kilns offers a multifaceted approach to sustainability, addressing environmental, economic, and social aspects. By converting waste into a valuable energy source, RDF reduces landfill use, conserves natural resources, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes a [...] Read more.
The use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement kilns offers a multifaceted approach to sustainability, addressing environmental, economic, and social aspects. By converting waste into a valuable energy source, RDF reduces landfill use, conserves natural resources, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes a circular economy. This sustainable practice not only supports the cement industry in meeting regulatory requirements but also advances global efforts toward more sustainable waste management and energy production systems. This research promotes the integration of RDF as fuel in cement kilns to reduce the use of fossil fuels by improving the control of the combustion. Addressing the variable composition of RDF requires continuous monitoring to ensure operational stability and product quality, traditionally managed by operators through visual inspections. This study introduces a real-time, computer vision- and deep learning-based monitoring system to aid in decision-making, utilizing existing kiln imaging devices for a non-intrusive, cost-effective solution applicable across various facilities. The system generates two detailed datasets from the kiln environment, undergoing extensive preprocessing to enhance image quality. The YOLOv8 algorithm was chosen for its real-time accuracy, with the final model demonstrating strong performance and domain adaptation. In an industrial setting, the system identifies critical elements like flame and clinker with high precision, achieving 25 frames per second (FPS) and a mean average precision (mAP50) of 98.8%. The study also develops strategies to improve the adaptability of the model to changing operational conditions. This advancement marks a significant step towards more energy-efficient and quality-focused cement production practices. By leveraging technological innovations, this research contributes to the move of the industry towards sustainability and operational efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Energy Transition: Replacing Fossil Fuels-Based Energy with Waste-Derived and Renewable Energy)
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Review

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26 pages, 1452 KiB  
Review
Charting the Course: Navigating Decarbonisation Pathways in Greece, Germany, The Netherlands, and Spain’s Industrial Sectors
by Alessandro A. Carmona-Martínez, Anatoli Rontogianni, Myrto Zeneli, Panagiotis Grammelis, Olgu Birgi, Rainer Janssen, Benedetta Di Costanzo, Martijn Vis, Bas Davidis, Patrick Reumerman, Asier Rueda and Clara Jarauta-Córdoba
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146176 - 19 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2374
Abstract
In the quest for a sustainable future, energy-intensive industries (EIIs) stand at the forefront of Europe’s decarbonisation mission. Despite their significant emissions footprint, the path to comprehensive decarbonisation remains elusive at EU and national levels. This study scrutinises key sectors such as non-ferrous [...] Read more.
In the quest for a sustainable future, energy-intensive industries (EIIs) stand at the forefront of Europe’s decarbonisation mission. Despite their significant emissions footprint, the path to comprehensive decarbonisation remains elusive at EU and national levels. This study scrutinises key sectors such as non-ferrous metals, steel, cement, lime, chemicals, fertilisers, ceramics, and glass. It maps out their current environmental impact and potential for mitigation through innovative strategies. The analysis spans across Spain, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, highlighting sector-specific ecosystems and the technological breakthroughs shaping them. It addresses the urgency for the industry-wide adoption of electrification, the utilisation of green hydrogen, biomass, bio-based or synthetic fuels, and the deployment of carbon capture utilisation and storage to ensure a smooth transition. Investment decisions in EIIs will depend on predictable economic and regulatory landscapes. This analysis discusses the risks associated with continued investment in high-emission technologies, which may lead to premature decommissioning and significant economic repercussions. It presents a dichotomy: invest in climate-neutral technologies now or face the closure and offshoring of operations later, with consequences for employment. This open discussion concludes that while the technology for near-complete climate neutrality in EIIs exists and is rapidly advancing, the higher costs compared to conventional methods pose a significant barrier. Without the ability to pass these costs to consumers, the adoption of such technologies is stifled. Therefore, it calls for decisive political commitment to support the industry’s transition, ensuring a greener, more resilient future for Europe’s industrial backbone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Energy Transition: Replacing Fossil Fuels-Based Energy with Waste-Derived and Renewable Energy)
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34 pages, 2054 KiB  
Review
Energy Efficiency Policies for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Review
by Carlos Herce, Chiara Martini, Claudia Toro, Enrico Biele and Marcello Salvio
Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031023 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3579
Abstract
The importance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from economic, social, and environmental point of views and the crucial role of energy efficiency are widely recognized. However, the development of effective policies and their analysis are still challenging topics, for which research is [...] Read more.
The importance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from economic, social, and environmental point of views and the crucial role of energy efficiency are widely recognized. However, the development of effective policies and their analysis are still challenging topics, for which research is relatively scarce. The main reasons for this are the high heterogeneity of SMEs, their low energy impact compared with energy-intensive enterprises, the lack of quantitative in-formation on the energy consumption of SMEs, and the low awareness of SMEs on energy topics. The structural paradigm change in the energy markets has underlined the importance of EE in SMEs. Several studies have been devoted to analyzing EE policies, using different methods and targets, not necessarily with a focus on SMEs or quantitative figures. This study presents a scoping review aimed at mapping the scientific literature on this topic, assessing its volume, nature, characteristics, type of evidence available, key concepts, and possible gaps. The existing contributions were systematized on three assessment levels regarding the EE policies for SMEs: general framework for their classification; comprehensive analysis of contributions providing qualitative information; in-depth analysis of evaluation studies including quantitative information. This study highlights the need for a good balance between economic and supportive mechanisms and the crucial role of energy audits. The analyzed contributions show that despite SMEs’ efforts to develop EE policies, there are still important barriers to be addressed. Moreover, there is an important lack of quantitative analyses, which are necessary for the development a harmonized policy evaluation approach. Based on a synthesis of the review findings, key learnings for the better design, implementation, and evaluation of EE policies for SMEs are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Energy Transition: Replacing Fossil Fuels-Based Energy with Waste-Derived and Renewable Energy)
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