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Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2022) | Viewed by 61086

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Applied Economics, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Interests: energy economics; renewable energy; economic growth; sustainable economy transition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Financial Economic & Operation Management, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Interests: energy economics; renewable energy; energy situation and legislation; simulators

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Guest Editor
Department of Economic Analysis and Political Economics, Faculty of Law, Campus Ramón y Cajal, 41018 Seville, Spain
Interests: energy & water resources; microeconomics; tourism sector
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The economic growth and prosperity of countries and regions in  world is related to their energy consumption level. Currently, fossil fuels account for around 84% of the world’s primary energy consumption, increasing CO2 emissions and accelerating global warming. The last 19 years include 18 of the warmest years on record. Thus, unless a quick and decisive shift to a low-carbon energy system and economy is undertaken, we will soon reach a point where keeping the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C will be impossible. Energy policies for a sustainable economy are in urgent in all countries in the world. In this scenario, renewable energy is central to the transition to a sustainable future. Renewable energy not only contributes to cleaner economic systems, but also presents major economic opportunities, especially now that the Covid-19 pandemic is having significant negative economic consequences.  In this line, studies focusing on the role of renewable energy on sustainable economic transition are necesary, from a global, regional, and local perspective, as well as a sectoral perspective. This Special Issue is focussed on these topics.   

The Special Issue of Sustainability titled “Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition” will look into the following topics:

  • Studies comparing global or regional situation and/or evolution related to renewable energy consumption and production
  • Energy policy measures undertaken in regions, countries, or local zones to promote renewable energy, in particular those that promote a circular economy
  • Sectoral measures undertaken in regions, countries, or local zones to promote renewable energy, in particular those that promote a circular economy
  • Renewable energy, economic growth, and sustainability/emmisions: reviews and new studies
  • Renewable energy sources and economic growth
  • Transition to renewable energy and its impact on the economy
  • Renewable energy use in essential sectors for world economic growth
  • Transition to 30%, 50%, and 100% renewable energy: targets, forecasts, portfolios, etc.
  • Economic sector growth thanks to renewable energy development
  • Studies focusing on the negative impact that renewable energy could have on the economy
  • Other related topic or studies

Prof. Dr. María Del P. Pablo-Romero
Prof. Dr. Rafael Pozo-Barajas
Prof. Dr. Javier Sánchez-Rivas García
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

  • renewable energy
  • sustainable economy
  • economy transition
  • energy policy
  • measures and targets for renewable energy
  • renewable energy evolution and transition
  • circular economy
  • economy growth
  • economics impacts

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 1501 KiB  
Article
A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?
by Jerry L. Holechek, Hatim M. E. Geli, Mohammed N. Sawalhah and Raul Valdez
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4792; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084792 - 16 Apr 2022
Cited by 274 | Viewed by 46055
Abstract
Our study evaluated the effectiveness of using eight pathways in combination for a complete to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2050. These pathways included renewable energy development; improving energy efficiency; increasing energy conservation; carbon taxes; more equitable balancing of human [...] Read more.
Our study evaluated the effectiveness of using eight pathways in combination for a complete to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2050. These pathways included renewable energy development; improving energy efficiency; increasing energy conservation; carbon taxes; more equitable balancing of human wellbeing and per capita energy use; cap and trade systems; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and nuclear power development. We used the annual ‘British Petroleum statistical review of world energy 2021’ report as our primary database. Globally, fossil fuels, renewable (primarily hydro, wind and solar), nuclear energy accounted for 83%, 12.6%, and 6.3% of the total energy consumption in 2020. To achieve zero fossil fuel use by 2050, we found that renewable energy production will need to be increased by up to 6-fold or 8-fold if energy demand is held constant at, or increased 50% from, the 2020 energy demand level. Constraining 2050 world energy demand to a 25% increase over the 2020 level, improves the probability of achieving independence from fossil fuels. Improvements in energy efficiency need to accelerate beyond the current rate of ~1.5% per year. Aggressive application of energy conservation policies involving land use and taxation could potentially reduce world energy use by 10% or more by 2050. Our meta-analysis shows that the minimum level of per capita energy consumption that would allow 8 billion people to have a ‘Decent Living Standard’ is on average ~70 GJ per capita per year, which is 93% of the 2020 global average. Developed countries in temperate climates with high vehicle-dependency needed ~120 GJ per capita year−1, whereas equatorial countries with low vehicle-dependency needed 30 GJ per capita year−1. Our meta-analyses indicated replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy by 2050 may be possible but will require aggressive application of all eight pathways, major lifestyle changes in developed countries, and close cooperation among all countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition)
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24 pages, 1289 KiB  
Article
Intelligent Optimized Wind Turbine Cost Analysis for Different Wind Sites in Jordan
by Ayman Al-Quraan and Bashar Al-Mhairat
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 3075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053075 - 06 Mar 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2406
Abstract
Choosing the right wind site and estimating the extracted energy of the wind turbines are essential to successfully establishing a wind farm in a specific wind site. In this paper, a method for estimating the extracted energy of the wind farms using several [...] Read more.
Choosing the right wind site and estimating the extracted energy of the wind turbines are essential to successfully establishing a wind farm in a specific wind site. In this paper, a method for estimating the extracted energy of the wind farms using several mathematical models is proposed. The estimating method, which was based on five wind turbines, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5 and three wind distribution models, gamma, Weibull, and Rayleigh, was used to suggest suitable specifications of a wind turbine for a specific wind site and maximize the extracted energy of the proposed wind farm. An optimization problem, developed for this purpose, was solved using the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). The suggested method was tested using several potential wind sites in Jordan. The proposed wind farms at these sites achieved the maximum extracted energy, maximum capacity factor (CF), and minimum levelized cost of energy (LCoE) based on the solution of the developed optimization problem. The developed model with Q3 and the Rayleigh distribution function was validated with real measurement data from several wind farms in Jordan. Error analysis showed that the difference between the measured and estimated energy was less than 20%. The study validated the provided model, which can now be utilized routinely for the assessment of wind energy potential at a specific wind site. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition)
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33 pages, 2490 KiB  
Article
Measures to Promote Olive Grove Biomass in Spain and Andalusia: An Opportunity for Economic Recovery against COVID-19
by Jesús Marquina, María José Colinet and María del P. Pablo-Romero
Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011318 - 13 Oct 2021
Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Olive grove biomass presents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gases and meet the sustainability objectives set by Europe. Given the relevance of this organic matter, this paper analyzes the evolution and current situation of the regulations that regulate olive grove biomass as a [...] Read more.
Olive grove biomass presents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gases and meet the sustainability objectives set by Europe. Given the relevance of this organic matter, this paper analyzes the evolution and current situation of the regulations that regulate olive grove biomass as a source of energy in Europe, in Spain and in Andalusia. Likewise, its effect on the evolution of the use of biomass in the Andalusian region, especially the olive grove, is analyzed. The analysis is novel, since there are no previous studies that reveal this type of information for the olive grove biomass sector. The results show that, as of 2005, the development of biomass for thermal and electrical uses is favorable, reaching the objectives set by the PASENER 2007–2013. However, this situation is reversed as of 2012, with the abolition of the feed-in tariff system for renewables. Besides this, the olive grove biomass sector faces other obstacles such as the cost of residue collection and the few incentives for this sector. The reorientation of the measures, in order to enhance this energy source, would generate a positive effect for the economy of the region that has been affected by COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition)
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Review

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27 pages, 3627 KiB  
Review
A Review on Renewable Energy Transition under China’s Carbon Neutrality Target
by Fuquan Zhao, Fanlong Bai, Xinglong Liu and Zongwei Liu
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15006; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215006 - 13 Nov 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7360
Abstract
To achieve their carbon peak and carbon neutrality target, China’s energy transition is seen as the most important instrument. Despite the rapid growth of renewable energy in China, there are still many challenges. Based on the review of the contemporary literature, this paper [...] Read more.
To achieve their carbon peak and carbon neutrality target, China’s energy transition is seen as the most important instrument. Despite the rapid growth of renewable energy in China, there are still many challenges. Based on the review of the contemporary literature, this paper seeks to present an updated depiction of renewable energy in the Chinese context. The potential, status quo, and related policy of China’s renewable energy are thoroughly investigated. The challenges facing renewable energy development under the carbon neutrality target are analyzed, including enormous transition urgency and pressure, technology, and policy issues. Then, coping strategies are proposed to guide the direction of renewable energy development. Technology paths and policy recommendations are presented. This paper contributes to technology developing and policymaking by providing a comprehensive, thorough, and reliable review of renewable energy development in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition)
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16 pages, 428 KiB  
Review
State of Play for 100% Renewable Energy Futures for Cuba: Recent Changes and Challenges
by Mika Korkeakoski
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13825; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113825 - 25 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1906
Abstract
Over the last decades Cuba has been remarkably successful at revitalizing its energy sector by significantly increasing efficiency and reducing energy intensity and emissions. These achievements, made through a comprehensive approach targeting infrastructure, consumption habits and people’s understanding of energy issues, can provide [...] Read more.
Over the last decades Cuba has been remarkably successful at revitalizing its energy sector by significantly increasing efficiency and reducing energy intensity and emissions. These achievements, made through a comprehensive approach targeting infrastructure, consumption habits and people’s understanding of energy issues, can provide Cuba with fertile ground on which to tackle the policy challenges ahead in order to achieve its 2030 energy policy goals. This review carries out a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the late 2010s until 2022 on the variety of changes that have taken place and the challenges still ahead. Overcoming critical challenges under the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Cultural (PESTEC) conditions is crucially important; how will Cuba be able to tackle the challenge of implementing the transition to renewable energy and find the resources to actualize the 2030 vision? Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economy Transition)
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