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Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025)
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Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025)

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2026) | Viewed by 2788

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Oz Sahin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4222, Australia
2. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4066, Australia
Interests: systems dynamics modelling; operations research; natural resource management; decision support systems; water resources engineering; geospatial information systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ever since the first Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) that was held in Dubrovnik in 2002, the SDEWES conference series has been providing a worldwide forum for scientists and those interested in sustainability to share the state-of-the-art of this field and its future directions and priorities. SDEWES is dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge on methods, policies and technologies aiming to increase the sustainability of development by decoupling growth from the use of natural resources and by transitioning to a knowledge-based economy. 

Considering all the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainable development, one of the main issues of the coming decades will be to improve efficiencies by integrating various life-supporting systems, using excesses from one as a resource for another. Integrating electricity, heating, cooling, transport, water, buildings, waste, wastewater, industry, forestry and agriculture systems will be pivotal in terms of sustainable development. To make efficiency improvements happen, the political aspects of sustainable development must also be considered, thus implying the need to take into account, among other things, sustainable development goals, resource and political security, long-term planning, the role of political leaders and voters, energy democracy and community and citizen participation in energy transition.

SDEWES has maintained high publishing standards with more than 3000 research articles published in leading journals. MDPI‘s Sustainability journal has continued its cooperation with SDEWES, launching this Special Issue dedicated to the 2025 conferences. Hence, this Special Issue is aims to provide an opportunity for a wide range of researchers to originate, discuss, share and disseminate new ideas. Sustainability also offers a perfect platform for interdisciplinary and multi-cultural evaluation of complex systems.

Dr. Oz Sahin
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • sustainability comparisons and measurements
  • green economy and better governance
  • sustainable resilience of systems
  • environmental policy and management 
  • energy policy 
  • energy systems 
  • renewable energy sources 
  • waste and wastewater treatment 
  • water-energy nexus
  • energy and water efficiency

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2100 KB  
Article
Developing a Sustainable Water–Energy–Food Nexus as a Socio-Technical–Ecological Transition: The ONEPlanET Experience in Africa
by Afroditi Magou, Constantinos Kritiotis, Natalie Kafantari and Fabio Maria Montagnino
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3178; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073178 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 391
Abstract
The complexity of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus demands a comprehensive framework for its implementation, particularly concerning place-based governance and sustainable transitions. In this work, the WEF Nexus is conceptualized through the lens of Socio-Technical Systems Transition Theory and its interconnections with geo-ecological system [...] Read more.
The complexity of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus demands a comprehensive framework for its implementation, particularly concerning place-based governance and sustainable transitions. In this work, the WEF Nexus is conceptualized through the lens of Socio-Technical Systems Transition Theory and its interconnections with geo-ecological system components, enabling its recognition as a place-based Socio-Technical–Ecological meta-System (STES). The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are introduced as landscape drivers of the WEF Nexus, as they acknowledge the crucial role of society, technology and ecological systems in its interconnected domains. A novel integrated methodology to develop the WEF Nexus as a STES transition is presented, encompassing literature review, qualitative analysis, conceptual mapping, and multi-stakeholder co-creation. This theoretical framework was empirically tested and improved across selected case studies on hydrological basins in Africa within the ONEPlanET Horizon Europe Project. Both leverageable subsystems and promising transitional innovation assets were identified. The transitional X-Curve assisted in the discussion in the empirical context of ONEPlanET to generalise the findings and the visual presentation of the identified pathways. The methodology that resulted is suitable for supporting a concrete exploration of systemic mapping, analysis, and planning towards a sustainable WEF Nexus in complex geographies, facilitated through multi-stakeholder engagement and co-creation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025))
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21 pages, 2619 KB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Impact of Driving Mode, Traffic, and Road Infrastructure on the Energy Consumption of Road Transport
by Rafael Henrique de Oliveira, Laura Nascimento Mazzoni, Kamilla Vasconcelos Savasini, Flávio Guilherme Vaz de Almeida Filho and Linda Lee Ho
Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18042052 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 410
Abstract
The vehicular energy consumption, primarily determined by the vehicle’s characteristics, exhibits significant variations influenced by driving behavior, traffic, and road attributes, with repercussions for emissions. This paper presents experimental results from real-traffic runs to characterize the relationship between fuel consumption and these factors. [...] Read more.
The vehicular energy consumption, primarily determined by the vehicle’s characteristics, exhibits significant variations influenced by driving behavior, traffic, and road attributes, with repercussions for emissions. This paper presents experimental results from real-traffic runs to characterize the relationship between fuel consumption and these factors. Data on consumption, performance, and kinematics of a light-duty vehicle were obtained using low-cost devices, including an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) scanner, a unit integrating an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The data allowed distinguishing consumption patterns between two distinct scenarios: a collector road stretch with deteriorated pavement and an express road stretch with lower surface roughness. Relevant association was identified between fuel consumption and factors such as discrete pavement anomalies and variables related to driving and traffic. Moderate correlations were observed with slope, and weaker ones with pavement roughness. Regarding the regression analysis, results identified acceleration and engine speed as the primary operational determinants of fuel consumption, with road grade emerging as the dominant geometric constraint across all scenarios. The results reveal relevant associations between fuel consumption and road, driving, and traffic-related factors while simultaneously demonstrating a robust and replicable experimental methodology based on commercially available sensing devices for real-traffic energy and emission assessments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025))
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23 pages, 1945 KB  
Article
Towards Net-Zero Settlements: Barriers, Enablers and Case Studies’ Lessons Learnt from the Annex 83
by Andrea Gabaldon-Moreno, David Bjelland, Giovanna Pallotta, Alberto Belda-González, Danijela Šijačić, Silvia Soutullo, Emanuela Giancola, Saeed Ranjbar, Beril Alpagut and Ursula Eicker
Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 2050; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18042050 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 691
Abstract
Decarbonisation of urban areas is essential to reaching climate neutrality, as cities house half the global population and account for over 70% of carbon emissions. However, applying innovative approaches, such as establishing positive energy districts (PEDs), remains challenging due to stakeholder engagement and [...] Read more.
Decarbonisation of urban areas is essential to reaching climate neutrality, as cities house half the global population and account for over 70% of carbon emissions. However, applying innovative approaches, such as establishing positive energy districts (PEDs), remains challenging due to stakeholder engagement and funding constraints, largely driven by knowledge gaps and a lack of best practices. This study examines barriers, facilitators and lessons learnt from six case studies in Europe, Canada and Singapore through a mixed-methods approach, including stakeholder interviews, grey literature analysis and a semi-structured review. Findings highlight district heating networks, heat pumps and photovoltaics as key technologies, with regional variations. While Mediterranean regions prioritise solar energy, northern climates employ a diverse range of solutions, including geothermal and seasonal storage. Political commitment and funding enable progress, whereas regulatory gaps and stakeholder misalignment hinder it. The study underscores the need for sharing best practices to enable PED implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025))
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20 pages, 1822 KB  
Article
Assessing the Economic Impacts of Spot Market Electricity and Cost Factors on Financial Feasibility of Electric Heat Storage for Process Steam
by Carlota von Thadden del Valle, Jonas Schiller and Mathias van Beek
Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18041802 - 10 Feb 2026
Viewed by 447
Abstract
To match the fluctuating renewable energy generation with varying industrial process steam demand, electric heat storage is a viable solution for energy transformation. However, the adoption of this technology by companies hinges on its economic feasibility. Proponents often argue that leveraging spot market [...] Read more.
To match the fluctuating renewable energy generation with varying industrial process steam demand, electric heat storage is a viable solution for energy transformation. However, the adoption of this technology by companies hinges on its economic feasibility. Proponents often argue that leveraging spot market electricity prices provides a competitive edge over conventional energy systems without storage. However, additional factors, such as grid fees, levies and taxes can substantially inflate storage charging costs. This study investigates the integration of an electric latent heat storage for process steam within a conventional natural gas boiler system in a paper manufacturing case study under German industrial electricity price regulation to evaluate the effects of electricity prices alongside various operational energy cost factors and rebates through a mixed-integer linear program. Three storage sizes (1 MWh, 100 MWh, 100 GWh) and four electricity procurement configurations (status quo, optimized fixed-price contract, day-ahead only, and a mixed fixed/day-ahead strategy) are analysed. For 100 MWh, the mixed strategy cuts energy costs by about 10% versus day-ahead pricing and around 13.5% versus the status quo contract, lowering the specific electricity price from 6.2 to 5.3 ct/kWh, while emissions range from the slight increases to 23% reductions when grid fees are removed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025))
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18 pages, 1396 KB  
Article
Decision-Support Analysis of Biomethane Infrastructure Options Using the TOPSIS Method
by Ance Ansone, Liga Rozentale, Claudio Rochas and Dagnija Blumberga
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18021086 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 278
Abstract
The integration of biomethane into the natural gas infrastructure is a critical element of energy-sector decarbonization, yet optimal infrastructure development scenarios remain insufficiently compared using unified decision frameworks. This study evaluates three biomethane market integration scenarios—direct connection to the gas system, biomethane injection [...] Read more.
The integration of biomethane into the natural gas infrastructure is a critical element of energy-sector decarbonization, yet optimal infrastructure development scenarios remain insufficiently compared using unified decision frameworks. This study evaluates three biomethane market integration scenarios—direct connection to the gas system, biomethane injection points (compressed biomethane transported by trucks to the gas system), and off-grid delivery using the multi-criteria decision-making method TOPSIS. Environmental, economic, and technical dimensions are jointly assessed. Results indicate that direct connection to the system provides the most balanced overall performance, achieving the highest integrated score (Ci = 0.70), driven by superior environmental and technical characteristics. Biomethane injection points demonstrate strong economic advantages (Ci = 0.49), particularly where capital investments need to be reduced or there is limited access to the gas system, but show weaker environmental and technical performance. Off-grid solutions perform poorly in integrated assessment (Ci = 0.00), reflecting limited scalability and high logistical complexity, although niche applications may remain viable under specific conditions. Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of these rankings across a wide range of weighting assumptions, strengthening the reliability of the findings for policy and infrastructure planning. This study provides one of the first integrated multi-criteria assessments explicitly incorporating virtual pipeline logistics, offering a transferable decision-support framework for sustainable biomethane development in diverse regional contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES 2025))
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