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Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 October 2026 | Viewed by 6479

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yehia F. Khalil

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Guest Editor

Chemical & Environment Engineering Department, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
Interests: green energy systems; chemical process design; artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML); life cycle assessment (LCA); sustainability and circular economy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the urgency to transition to sustainable energy sources grows within the global community, this Special Issue serves as a crucial platform to discuss and address the numerous challenges and dynamic opportunities associated with this transformation. Our goal is to bring together a diverse array of science-based insights, fundamental and applied research as well as strategies that can pave the way toward a sustainable energy future.

Key Themes: Includes but not limited to

Innovations in Renewable Energy Technologies: Latest advancements and future directions in solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy technologies.
Policy and Regulatory Landscape: Examination of current policies, regulatory frameworks, and potential reforms to support sustainable energy initiatives.
Economic Impacts and Opportunities: Analysis of the economic benefits, challenges, and potential job creation linked with the transition to sustainable energy.
Sustainable Energy in Developing Countries: Exploration of unique challenges and solutions for implementing sustainable energy in developing regions.
Corporate Strategies and Sustainable Practices: Case studies and best practices from corporations leading the way in sustainable energy adoption.
Public-Private Partnerships: Examples of successful collaborations between public entities and private sectors to promote and implement sustainable energy projects.

We invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and academics to submit original research articles, review papers, case studies, and opinion pieces related to the key themes. Submissions should provide innovative insights and practical implications that contribute to the discourse on sustainable energy.

Why Contribute:

Reach a Global Audience: Publish your work in a leading journal read by researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals worldwide.
Impactful Research: Contribute to the critical dialogue on sustainable energy and help shape future policies and practices.
Collaborative Opportunities: Connect with experts across various fields and collaborate on future research and projects.

Join us in advancing the conversation on sustainable energy and be a part of the solution for a greener, more sustainable future.

Prof. Dr. Yehia F. Khalil
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
green Energy
renewable Energy
sustainable Development
circular Economy
upcycling

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4431 KB

Open AccessArticle

Coordinated Low-Voltage Ride-Through Strategy for Hybrid Grid-Forming and Grid-Following Converter Interconnected Grid Systems

by Yichong Zhang, Huajun Zheng, Xufeng Yuan, Chao Zhang and Wei Xiong

Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3246; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073246 - 26 Mar 2026

Viewed by 382

Abstract

The transition towards sustainable energy systems is critically dependent on the reliable integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid. With the increasing penetration of renewable generation, hybrid grid-connected systems comprising grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) converters have become essential in modern power stations. This paper addresses a key challenge to sustainable grid operation: maintaining stability and power delivery during grid faults. When faults cause voltage sags at the point of common coupling (PCC), different low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) strategies significantly impact both the voltage support capability and the active power transmission capacity, which are vital for a stable and resilient energy supply. To address this, the paper proposes a coordinated LVRT strategy for GFL/GFM converters that adapts to varying grid requirements, thereby promoting sustainable grid integration. First, the topology and control strategies of the hybrid system are briefly described. The conventional LVRT control strategies for both GFL and GFM converters are then improved. Based on the severity of the grid voltage sag, the converters’ active and reactive power output are adaptively adjusted. This dual-function approach not only effectively limits fault currents, protecting sensitive equipment, but also prioritizes the continuous transmission of active power, thereby minimizing the loss of renewable generation during faults and supporting grid stability. Subsequently, through an analysis of the voltage and active power characteristics of different LVRT modes, a coordinated strategy is designed. Unlike single-converter LVRT control, the proposed method flexibly selects and adjusts control modes to meet specific grid code requirements, ensuring robust voltage support and maximizing the utilization of clean energy even under adverse conditions. Finally, the effectiveness of this coordinated control strategy in ensuring a sustainable and resilient grid connection is validated through MATLAB R2022b/Simulink simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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30 pages, 786 KB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing Sustainable Development in Pacific Asia: A Quantile Panel Analysis

by Zubeyir Can Kansel, Huseyin Ozdeser and Mehdi Seraj

Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3197; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073197 - 25 Mar 2026

Viewed by 265

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of economic, energy, and institutional variables on sustainable economic growth for Pacific Asian countries using Adjusted Net Savings (ANS) as a more refined measure of sustainable development. Using an unbalanced panel dataset for the period 1996 to 2021, second-generation panel data analysis is conducted to capture both long-run and distributional relationships, addressing potential concerns about cross-sectional dependence. The results indicate the presence of long-run relationships that are stable for both sustainable development itself and for its defining factors. Foreign direct investments (FDI) are found to have the most significant influence on sustainable development for all quantile values, underlining their central importance to long-run capital accumulation efforts. Renewable energy consumption helps increase sustainability outcomes for countries with lower savings performance values, while renewable energy production is found to have a modest but positive influence for each quantile of the distribution of outcomes. Natural resource wealth is seen to have non-linear effects on outcomes, with countries with lower savings values being adversely affected, while countries with higher savings values are beneficially affected. The presence of institutional factors is an enabler for countries with lower values of sustainable development performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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18 pages, 1038 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Advanced Eco-Solution to Address the Excessive Consumption of Water, Electricity and Towels/Linen at Luxury Hotels/Resorts: An Incentive-Linked Smart Meter System to Influence Consumer Behaviors

by Ali Aldhamiri

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2447; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052447 - 3 Mar 2026

Viewed by 576

Abstract

Due to environmental challenges, the global luxury hospitality industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its consumption of natural resources while maintaining service quality. In this paper a conceptual study is conducted to identify three primary problems of the tourism industry and highlight their impact on sustainable water resources and ecosystems: excessive water, electricity and towel/linen consumption in luxury hotels and resorts. This paper proposes a solution that uses a digital smart meter system linked to guest rooms. It is activated upon check-in, and guest participation is optional. It uses tangible or intangible incentives—such as discounts upon departure for future stays or for hotel laundry/meals/beverages—that rationalize consumption without affecting the quality of basic services. This approach may be implemented either independently by a single hotel or collaboratively through strategic alliances among multiple hotels, thus enabling customers to redeem their incentives/credits at any participating property. Guests are grouped into three consumption levels: high-saving guests (high incentives), average-saving guests (average incentives) and third-level guests (low/below-average incentives). Adopting this approach helps luxury hotels/resorts reduce their operational costs and enhance their image by applying green marketing in practice. Moreover, this conceptual paper proposes the provision of badges, including international environmental certifications, to hotels that adopt this responsible approach. This mechanism is a modern model that directly benefits all involved parties: service providers, customers/guests, environmental organizations and the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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27 pages, 6838 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Support Policies on the Share of Renewable Energy in Europe

by Maksym Mykhei, Dimitrios Pantelakis, Juan Pous Cabello, Isabel Amez, Marcela Taušová and Peter Tauš

Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18041725 - 7 Feb 2026

Viewed by 400

Abstract

This study examines the association between the formal (de jure) adoption of renewable energy source (RES) support instruments and observed RES deployment outcomes across 36 European countries. We assess whether broader legislative adoption—measured by a transparent breadth/coverage index (SIC/OIL) based on binary coding and equal sector weights—correlates with higher RES shares. The empirical design comprises three complementary steps: (i) hierarchical clustering (Ward’s method; Euclidean distance on standardised indicators) to classify countries by legislative adoption profiles; (ii) parallel clustering of countries by RES utilisation profiles using 10 z-score-standardised outcome indicators (total and sectoral RES shares and per capita RES use by source); and (iii) an integrated comparison of both typologies, followed by a cross-sectional regression test of the OIL–RES association. Legislative and utilisation clusters do not systematically coincide, and the baseline regression shows a weak, statistically insignificant association with very low explanatory power (R² = ≈ 0.015), supporting heterogeneity (H1) rather than a universal positive average relationship (H₂). Interpretation is conservative because SIC/OIL captures policy-mix coverage (not budgets, enforcement, or design stringency) and because some low/zero policy entries may reflect limited source coverage. Overall, the findings suggest that observed RES performance is primarily shaped by country-specific structural conditions (resource endowments, economic capacity, and sustained long-term investment), implying that context-sensitive instruments and stronger implementation capacities should complement formal policy adoption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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24 pages, 3306 KB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptive Hybrid MPPT for Photovoltaic Systems: Performance Enhancement Under Dynamic Conditions

by Mahmoud Ismail, Mostafa I. Marei and Mohamed Mokhtar

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010080 - 20 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 807

Abstract

Optimizing energy conversion in photovoltaic (PV) systems is crucial for maximizing energy conversion efficiency and ensuring reliable operation. Achieving this requires that the PV array consistently operates at the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP). Conventional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms, such as Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance (INC), perform effectively under uniform irradiance but fail to track the GMPP under partial shading conditions (PSCs), resulting in energy losses and degraded system efficiency. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a hybrid MPPT method that integrates the Crayfish Optimization Algorithm (COA), a bio-inspired metaheuristic, with the P&O technique. The proposed approach combines the global exploration ability of COA with the fast convergence of P&O to ensure accurate and stable GMPP identification. The algorithm is validated under multiple irradiance patterns and benchmarked against established MPPT methods, including voltage-source and current-source region detection, Improved Variable Step Perturb and Observe and Global Scanning (VSPO&GS), and a hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-P&O method. Simulation studies performed in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the proposed technique achieves higher accuracy, faster convergence, and enhanced robustness under PSCs. Results show that the proposed method reliably identifies the global peak, limits steady-state oscillations to below 1%, restricts maximum overshoot to 0.5%, and achieves the fastest settling time, stabilizing at the new power point significantly faster following major step changes, thereby enhancing overall PV system performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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22 pages, 436 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of the Construction of New Energy Demonstration Cities on Energy Utilization Efficiency—Evidence from Chinese Cities

by Zhiyuan Dong, Pengfei Jiang and Tiantian Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10677; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310677 - 28 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 555

Abstract

Cities are at the core of resource consumption and carbon emissions, and against a backdrop of increasingly severe global climate change and resource constraints, they have become crucial in achieving an ecological civilization through sustainable development models. Using data from 293 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2023 as a research sample, this study empirically examines the impacts of new energy demonstration city construction on energy utilization efficiency, with the aim of providing insights to guide urban sustainable development. Our findings are as follows: firstly, the construction of new energy demonstration cities can effectively enhance energy utilization efficiency. Secondly, digital economy policies and environmental regulations can positively moderate the impact of new energy demonstration city construction on energy utilization efficiency. Thirdly, the construction of new energy demonstration cities can significantly improve energy utilization efficiency through technological innovation and industrial optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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24 pages, 1893 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Scoring and Ranking Methods for Evaluating the Techno-Economic Competitiveness of Hydrogen Production Technologies

by Yehia F. Khalil

Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5770; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135770 - 23 Jun 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2679

Abstract

This research evaluates four hydrogen (H₂) production technologies via water electrolysis (WE): alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME), anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEME), and solid oxide electrolysis (SOE). Two scoring and ranking methods, the MACBETH method and the Pugh decision matrix, are utilized for this evaluation. The scoring process employs nine decision criteria: capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), operating efficiency (SOE), startup time (SuT), environmental impact (EI), technology readiness level (TRL), maintenance requirements (MRs), supply chain challenges (SCCs), and levelized cost of H₂ (LCOH). The MACBETH method involves pairwise technology comparisons for each decision criterion using seven qualitative judgment categories, which are converted into quantitative scores via M-MACBETH software (Version 3.2.0). The Pugh decision matrix benchmarks WE technologies using a baseline technology—SMR with CCS—and a three-point scoring scale (0 for the baseline, +1 for better, −1 for worse). Results from both methods indicate AWE as the leading H₂ production technology, which is followed by AEME, PEME, and SOE. AWE excels due to its lowest CAPEX and OPEX, highest TRL, and optimal operational efficiency (at ≈7 bars of pressure), which minimizes LCOH. AEME demonstrates balanced performance across the criteria. While PEME shows advantages in some areas, it requires improvements in others. SOE has the most areas needing enhancement. These insights can direct future R&D efforts toward the most promising H₂ production technologies to achieve the net-zero goal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges)

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