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Evaluation and Utilization of Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 January 2026 | Viewed by 1929

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Chemical Engineering Department, Insituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
Interests: sustainability; environment; energy; LCA; optimization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy production and consumption are deeply coupled to major environmental problems such as climate and pollution problems, responsible for many health problems and a decrease in life quality. The social dimension of energy does not end with the abovementioned associated problems, it goes beyond them since energy assures food provision, heating and cooling, mobility, etc., and all of these issues are fundamental to a high standard of living. From an economic point view, energy is also a crucial factor affecting countries’ economies in a very strong way. Energy clearly impacts the pillars of Sustainable Development (economic, environmental, and social), a keystone to achieve it. The recognition of its importance is also evident in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the inclusion of the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 (affordable and clean energy). The use of renewable energy, hydropower, photovoltaics, wind, geothermal, etc., emerge as an important solution to implement Sustainable Development, since it can reduce environmental impacts, provide countries with more resilience as their external energy dependency decreases, and also enhance the social performance of the energy sector. Renewable energy in Sustainable Development implementation should be studied and assessed to verify its benefits and disadvantages and to provide feedback to the different stakeholders.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews related to evaluation and utilization of renewable energy for sustainable development.

Dr. Florinda Martins
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • renewable energy
  • sustainable development
  • photovoltaics
  • wind
  • biofuels

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 934 KiB  
Article
Assessing Renewable Energy Adoption to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Ha’il Region
by Rabab Triki, Shawky Mohamed Mahmoud, Younès Bahou and Mohamed Mahdi Boudabous
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 6097; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17136097 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Today’s environmental issues are among the primary themes that researchers explore in their search for practical solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. Renewable energy is crucial to overcoming future challenges, causing many [...] Read more.
Today’s environmental issues are among the primary themes that researchers explore in their search for practical solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. Renewable energy is crucial to overcoming future challenges, causing many countries to accelerate their adoption at various levels. In this context, the impact of renewable energy adoption on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Ha’il region has been evaluated. Specifically, two techniques are employed. The first technique is an empirical model based on the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), which identifies the SDGs related to renewable energy in achieving SDGH. Only three SDGs (SDG7, SDG12, and SDG13) were found to influence SDGH significantly. The second technique uses deep learning, specifically LSTM networks, to forecast SDGH behavior over a ten-year period about the three selected SDGs. The results indicate that these three SDGs play a crucial role in sustainable development in the Ha’il region. Therefore, this research produces strategic recommendations to optimize the adoption of renewable energy in the Ha’il region. These findings provide policymakers with a data-driven framework to enhance strategies, utilize resources more efficiently, and promote broader sustainability initiatives. Full article
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30 pages, 3905 KiB  
Article
Assessing International Technological Competitiveness in Renewable Energy: An IPC-Based Analysis of Granted Patents
by Soojung Kim and Keuntae Cho
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5479; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125479 - 13 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 523
Abstract
With climate change mitigation and carbon emission reduction as global priorities, the expansion of renewable energy has become a core strategy globally. The purpose of this study is to identify trends in key renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and water [...] Read more.
With climate change mitigation and carbon emission reduction as global priorities, the expansion of renewable energy has become a core strategy globally. The purpose of this study is to identify trends in key renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and water technologies, and to compare and evaluate their competitiveness across leading nations. To this end, we performed trend analyses and both patent and technology portfolio assessments employing indicators such as the number of patents granted, claim count ratio, citation ratio, and patent family ratio on 194,485 granted patents collected from 1975 to 2024, according to International Patent Classification (IPC) codes, for the five major energy powers—the United States, European Union, Japan, China, and Korea. Trend analysis revealed a sharp increase in energy-related patents from 2010, with solar technologies accounting for over 60 percent of the total. Patent portfolio results positioned the United States as the Technology Leader, leading in both activity and quality; China stood out for its quantitative expansion and Europe for its qualitative strengths. Technology portfolio findings show that, although core technologies are shared globally, application-level technologies vary by country, reflecting each nation’s industrial base, policy orientation, and technological maturity. This study delineates priority technology domains, identifies optimal R&D collaboration pathways, and recommends policy levers that accelerate commercialization—enabling policymakers and industry stakeholders to allocate resources strategically and construct balanced technology portfolios aligned with global initiatives such as carbon-neutrality targets and the RE100 commitment. Full article
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21 pages, 1062 KiB  
Article
Socioeconomic Impacts of Renewable Energy Plants Through the Lens of the Triple Bottom Line
by Gustavo de Andrade Melo, Paula Medina Maçaira, Fernando Luiz Cyrino Oliveira and Guilherme Armando de Almeida Pereira
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114864 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Investing in renewable energy is a key driver for achieving the objectives outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. In this context, Brazil has stood out, and this study investigates the socioeconomic impacts of different types of renewable energy projects across Brazilian municipalities. The [...] Read more.
Investing in renewable energy is a key driver for achieving the objectives outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. In this context, Brazil has stood out, and this study investigates the socioeconomic impacts of different types of renewable energy projects across Brazilian municipalities. The analysis focuses on projects installed after 2010, from which investments in non-conventional sources have grown substantially in the country. The applied methodology combines Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences techniques to analyze the average impacts and source-specific effects of hydro, wind, and photovoltaic solar projects on GDP per capita and formal employment. The results indicate an average positive effect of 16.8% on GDP per capita, with wind power having the greatest impact, and 6.7% on formal employment, where hydropower stands out. Therefore, this work provides valuable insights for policymakers and companies, who can use the findings to make decisions and direct investments based on the various dimensions of the Triple Bottom Line. Full article
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