Sustainability Assessments of Energy Technologies and Transitions

Dear Colleagues,

The transition toward sustainable energy technologies is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. This Special Issue, titled “Sustainability Assessments of Energy Technologies and Transitions”, aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that evaluates the sustainability performance of diverse energy systems and transition pathways. We welcome contributions that explore the integration of renewable energy, low-carbon technologies, market mechanisms, and policy instruments that drive sustainable energy futures. The scope of this issue encompasses methodological innovations for quantifying sustainability, empirical studies evaluating energy technologies, and analyses of the socio-economic, environmental, and policy implications of energy transitions. By bringing together insights from economics, engineering, environmental sciences, and policy studies, this Special Issue seeks to advance knowledge on how energy technologies can be assessed, compared, and implemented to foster sustainable development.

Our purpose is to enrich the literature by offering both theoretical and practical perspectives on the sustainability of energy transitions, thereby supporting decision-makers, policymakers, and practitioners in shaping resilient and inclusive energy systems.

Scope:

This Special Issue welcomes a wide range of contributions, including empirical studies, conceptual frameworks, methodological innovations, and policy analyses. Topics of interest include the following:

• Sustainability assessments of renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, bioenergy, hydropower, nuclear, etc.);
• Comparative studies of conventional and emerging energy systems;
• Low-carbon transition pathways and scenarios;
• Integration of green finance, carbon markets, and energy policies into sustainability evaluations;
• Socio-economic and environmental trade-offs in energy transitions;
• Digitalization, artificial intelligence, and technological innovations supporting sustainable energy;
• Metrics, tools, and indices for quantifying and monitoring sustainability performance.

Purpose:

The main purpose of this Special Issue is to create a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue that unites economics, engineering, environmental sciences, and policy research. It aims to deliver evidence-based insights that can guide decision-makers, policymakers, and industry practitioners in designing resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy systems.

Contribution to the Literature:

This Special Issue will supplement the existing literature by filling critical gaps in three areas:

1. Integrated assessment—linking technological, economic, and policy dimensions of energy transitions.
2. Quantification of sustainability—providing novel approaches for measuring and monitoring sustainability performance across energy technologies.
3. Policy relevance—offering actionable insights into how laws, regulations, and financial instruments can accelerate the sustainability of energy transitions.

Contribution to Sustainability:

By aligning with Sustainability’s mission, this Special Issue addresses sustainability challenges at the intersection of energy, society, and the environment. It contributes to defining and quantifying sustainability, developing new assessment tools, and evaluating applications of sustainability in real-world contexts. It also engages with socio-economic and governance dimensions, including policies, regulations, and laws, to ensure that energy transitions contribute meaningfully to sustainable development goals. You can find more information on the aims and scope of the journal at the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/about.

Dr. Kamel Si Mohammed
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 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.

• climate change
• energy transition
• renewable energy
• sustainable technologies
• low-carbon economy
• energy policy
• green finance
• resilience
• circular economy
• decarbonization