Sustainable Energy in Building and Built Environment

Dear Colleagues,

The global power sector is undergoing a revolution, driven by the dual imperatives of decarbonization and digitalization. In response to climate change and sustainability goals, more emphasis is being placed on integrating renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and modernizing grid infrastructure. To advance sustainable development in power systems, the focus has shifted to creating resilient, reliable, and environmentally responsible electricity networks that support economic and social development without compromising future generations.

A significant trend is the rapid deployment of smart grids—advanced energy networks that leverage digital technologies, data analytics, and automation to optimize energy production, distribution, and consumption. Smart grids facilitate real-time monitoring, demand-side management, and decentralized energy systems, including distributed generation, electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage. The transition to smart grids aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Moreover, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain are enabling predictive maintenance, energy forecasting, and secure peer-to-peer energy transactions. These technologies help foster a more flexible and intelligent grid capable of adapting to changing demand patterns, weather variability, and consumer behaviors.

However, this transition poses technical, economic, and policy challenges. Factors such as grid stability, cybersecurity, regulatory frameworks, and equitable access remain central to sustainable development efforts in the energy sector.

Contributing to the development of clean, sustainable and modern energy sources, this Special Issue encompasses the following:

(1) Focus: This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge research in smart grid technologies, energy optimization, advanced solutions, and the integration of renewable energy and storage systems into sustainable power networks.

(2) Scope: We seek original research, case studies, reviews, and technical notes addressing topics such as the following:

• Hydrogen fuel cells, storage integration;
• Optimization in smart grid operation and planning;
• Intelligent for operation and energy management systems;
• Grid-interactive technologies and demand-side flexibility;
• AI and machine learning for predictive diagnostics;
• Smart grid cybersecurity, resilience, and policy frameworks.

(3) Purpose: Our aim is to create an interdisciplinary platform that connects academic researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. By promoting scalable and cutting-edge solutions, this Special Issue hopes to contribute to the global discourse on achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable development through innovation in power systems.

Dr. Minh Quan Duong
Dr. Emanuele Ogliari
Dr. Gabriela Sava
Dr. Chowdhury Akram Hossain
Dr. Thang Trung Nguyen
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.

• AI
• IoT
• machine learning
• optimization
• renewable energy
• smart grid
• sustainable energy
• storage system