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Analysis of Energy Systems from the Perspective of Sustainability

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3834

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
2. Engineering Research Center of Northwest Energy Carbon Neutrality (ERCNECN), Ministry of Education, Urumqi 830046, China
3. Strategy and Decision-making Research Center of Xinjiang Energy Carbon Neutrality (Xinjiang University), Urumqi 830046, China
Interests: energy management; energy planning for sustainability; integrated energy system; electricity–hydrogen coupling and conversion; GIS analysis and mapping
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Guest Editor
School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Interests: energy management; integrated energy system; optimal dispatching of energy system; benefit distribution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Management, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
Interests: power engineering project management; energy system planning and operation optimization; sustainability assessment; electric-carbon coupling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy systems are a guarantee for social development, and these have transitioned from traditional fossil fuel usage to the current high proportion of renewable energy utilization methods under the context of sustainable development. Analyzing the energy system from the perspective of sustainability is an urgent scientific task which needs addressing. Firstly, we ought to analyze the dilemmas and challenges of the energy transition, offering scientific solutions and strategies from a sustainable development standpoint. Secondly, we ought to focus on the planning and operation issues brought about by multi-energy coupling within the energy system, as well as the synergy among energy providers–transmitters–users. Integrating sustainability theory with management decision-making methods, including mathematical modeling and optimization, to derive practical solutions for energy system management and guide practitioners in their activities, is another goal. Thirdly, we must pay attention to the impact of emerging technologies on the energy system, like low-carbon, zero-carbon, and negative-emission technologies. Assessing the effectiveness of these technologies in the evolution of the energy system expedites the construction of clean and efficient energy systems. Lastly, we must also focus on the influence of energy policies on the sustainability of the energy system, such as subsidy reductions, electricity pricing mechanisms, and the carbon market. It will also be helpful to evaluate the effects of such policies and conduct simulation studies to provide references for managers to create macro-policies and help the overall improvement of energy systems. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome for submission. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • New energy system
  • Energy transformation
  • Integrated energy system
  • Energy system sustainability analysis
  • Planning, optimization, and benefit evaluation methods for energy system
  • Low/zero/negative carbon emission technology
  • Reuse of waste from energy systems
  • Energy policy and environment modeling.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Jianli Zhou
Dr. Shenbo Yang
Dr. Yao Tao
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

  • energy system engineering
  • sustainability analysis
  • multi-energy coupling
  • management theories and methods in energy system
  • energy policy and economics

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 1335 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Shallow Geothermal Development Potential Based on the Entropy Weight TOPSIS Method—A Case Study of Guizhou Province
by Yiqirui Deng, Mengyu Chen and Yujie Hu
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4312; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104312 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Shallow geothermal energy is a renewable and clean resource, yet its potential varies significantly across different regions of China. The disparity in resource conditions, technology development, and the level of regional understanding regarding its potential hinder efficient utilization. This study applies the entropy [...] Read more.
Shallow geothermal energy is a renewable and clean resource, yet its potential varies significantly across different regions of China. The disparity in resource conditions, technology development, and the level of regional understanding regarding its potential hinder efficient utilization. This study applies the entropy weight method, combined with the TOPSIS model, to assess the shallow geothermal utilization potential across various regions of the country, with a case study in Guizhou Province employed to evaluate the actual development potential. Additionally, SWOT analysis is employed to assess regional development and provide recommendations for the future growth of shallow geothermal energy in Guizhou. The findings indicate a high potential for shallow geothermal energy in East China, with significant resource potential and conceivable economic benefits in Guizhou Province. This research not only evaluates the development potential for shallow geothermal energy in different regions but also proposes strategic recommendations to enhance its effective development and contribute to the high-quality transformation of the energy industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Energy Systems from the Perspective of Sustainability)
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13 pages, 1471 KiB  
Article
From Inefficient to Efficient Renewable Heating: A Critical Assessment of the EU Renewable Energy Directive
by Jan Rosenow, Duncan Gibb and Samuel Thomas
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4164; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094164 - 5 May 2025
Viewed by 972
Abstract
The accounting methodology for renewable energy in the European Union’s (EU) renewable heating and cooling targets is often treated as a mere technical detail, yet it has profound implications for the effectiveness of climate policies. This paper highlights a critical misalignment within the [...] Read more.
The accounting methodology for renewable energy in the European Union’s (EU) renewable heating and cooling targets is often treated as a mere technical detail, yet it has profound implications for the effectiveness of climate policies. This paper highlights a critical misalignment within the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which inadvertently disincentivises the deployment of more efficient heating technologies. By accounting for the energy harnessed to produce the useful heat, rather than the useful heat itself, the current metrics disproportionately credit the least efficient heating systems with generating the most renewable heat. An electric heat pump with a seasonal performance factor of 3 producing 100 units of renewable heat gets credited with 100 units of heat, despite using only 33 units of input energy, whereas a wood fireplace with an efficiency of 50% gets credited with 200 units of heat. The less efficient the device, the more renewable credits it receives for producing the same amount of useful heat. This misalignment undermines decarbonisation efforts by over-crediting inefficient technologies while failing to fully recognise high-efficiency solutions like heat pumps. This paper proposes revising the RED to account for useful energy output, ensuring a more accurate reflection of technology contributions. We also propose increasing the binding heating and cooling targets of 0.8 pp/year and 1.1 pp/year so that they reflect the needed contribution of the heating and cooling sector to reach the binding headline target of 42.5% by 2030. This shift would incentivise efficiency, better align with EU climate goals, and support the transition to a low-carbon heating and cooling sector in line with the 2030 emissions reduction target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Energy Systems from the Perspective of Sustainability)
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22 pages, 808 KiB  
Article
Ultra-High-Voltage Construction Projects and Total Factor Energy Efficiency: Empirical Evidence on Cross-Regional Power Dispatch in China
by Yubao Wang, Junjie Zhen and Huiyuan Pan
Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 8083; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188083 - 16 Sep 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
Optimizing cross-regional energy dispatch is crucial for addressing regional energy resource imbalances and significantly enhancing energy utilization efficiency. This study aims to analyze the potential impact of China’s ultra-high-voltage (UHV) construction on firms’ total factor energy efficiency and provide empirical evidence supporting the [...] Read more.
Optimizing cross-regional energy dispatch is crucial for addressing regional energy resource imbalances and significantly enhancing energy utilization efficiency. This study aims to analyze the potential impact of China’s ultra-high-voltage (UHV) construction on firms’ total factor energy efficiency and provide empirical evidence supporting the role of cross-regional energy dispatch in improving firms’ energy efficiency. The construction of UHV infrastructure has become a vital part of China’s “New Infrastructure” projects, presenting a “Chinese solution” to the global challenge of regional energy resource mismatches. This study employs an enhanced two-step stochastic frontier method to quantify firms’ total factor energy efficiency and utilizes a difference-in-differences model to evaluate the impact of inter-regional electricity dispatch on this efficiency. The empirical analysis results indicate that UHV construction projects increase the total factor energy efficiency of regional firms by an average of 0.45%, which significantly contributes to firms’ total factor productivity. This conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Furthermore, the heterogeneity analysis results indicate that the UHV construction project increases the total factor energy efficiency of non-energy-intensive industries by 0.49%, and significantly enhances the total factor energy efficiency of the manufacturing industry by 0.94%. However, it has no significant effect on energy-intensive industries or non-manufacturing enterprises. Additionally, the mechanism analysis shows that UHV construction projects affect total factor energy efficiency through three pathways: industrial structure adjustment, urban innovation, and clean energy transition. This study offers insights for addressing regional energy spatial mismatches and provides policy recommendations for developing a new energy system aligned with regional needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Energy Systems from the Perspective of Sustainability)
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