Opportunities, Strategies and Challenges of Transitioning to a Sustainable and Reliable Net-Zero Energy System Future

Dear Colleagues,

A rapid transition to a low- and zero-carbon energy system is essential for limiting global warming to well below 2 °C. However, such a transition to a net-zero electricity system comes with its own challenges pertinent to economic, social, environmental and energy security issues.

At present, we are experiencing a multi-faceted global energy crisis that is putting an enormous strain on the power sectors in many countries. Oil and gas prices are soaring due to sanctions inflicted in response to the Ukraine–Russia conflict. These surging fuel prices are testing the resilience of energy markets against external factors. In Germany, and more broadly in Europe, the reduction in electricity generation from gas has led to a temporary reliance on other fuel sources such as coal. The EU has even declared gas and nuclear projects as “green”. In Australia, coal supply issues bundled with unusually high winter peak demand has led to skyrocketing electricity prices driven by already high gas prices—this has caused an unprecedented suspension of the National Electricity Market on the East Coast.

Several of these current issues will have detrimental implications on the transition to net-zero energy systems. Some countries will realize the opportunity at hand and accelerate renewable generation as it may lead to a more secure and independent energy policy. However, others may revive fossil-based electricity generation. Considering the present global crisis and notwithstanding the specifics of local energy supply policies, it is essential to publish solution-focused research that advocates the deployment of sustainable energy systems by presenting policies and reforms in social, economical, and environmental areas. This Special Issue will collect original research and review articles that address the above challenges from any adequate perspective, including system integration modelling, grid control and management paradigm designing, and sustainability performance assessment.

The topics of this Special Issue will include, but are not limited to:

• Electrification as a key driver to decarbonise the economy;
• Control and management of 100% renewable energy systems at local, national, and global scales;
• Energy transition scenarios and the related environmental or social performances;
• Short-term (e.g., Li-ion, lithium iron phosphate, etc.) and long-term (e.g., hydrogen, thermal, etc.) energy storage technologies in full range of applications across the electricity system—including end of life or recycling considerations and related environmental or social performances;
• Development, integration and management of electric vehicles (residential and commercial) as dynamic storage systems;
• Addressing the social performance of V2G technology;
• Development of a two-sided market where flexibility is valued for both demand and supply;
• Development of new system services to address the evolving needs of transitioning the electricity grid;
• Development of reforms to address energy security of the country against local and foreign threats.

Dr. Mengyu Li
Dr. Felix Keck
Dr. Syed Muhammad Hassan Ali
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.

• low-carbon energy system modeling
• energy and sustainability
• renewable energy
• energy storage
• electric vehicles
• demand-side management
• energy security
• electricity system services