Sustainable Thermal Energy Storage Systems: New Methods, Technologies and Practice
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 49
Special Issue Editors
Interests: thermal energy conversion and storage; renewable energy; renewables system integration; HVAC systems; sorption systems; heat pumps; thermal energy storage; hybrid systems; polygeneration systems; energy system simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: thermal energy conversion and storage; renewable energy; renewables system integration; HVAC systems; sorption systems; energy system simulation; polygeneration systems; positive energy districts; demand side management
Interests: materials for energy applications, thermal energy conversion and storage; materials characterization; thermodynamics and dynamics; hybrid systems
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue in Sustainability focuses on advancing thermal energy storage (TES) systems to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support renewable energy integration. The Special Issue emphasizes innovative materials, system designs, optimization techniques, and real-world applications that contribute to sustainable energy solutions. The Special Issue covers a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Advanced TES materials (phase change materials, sensible heat storage, and thermochemical storage);
- System design and optimization (efficiency improvements, cost reduction, and scalability);
- Integration with renewable energy (solar, wind, and waste heat recovery);
- Industrial and building applications (district heating, cooling systems, and industrial processes);
- Economic and environmental assessments (lifecycle analysis, policy implications, and circular economy approaches);
- Emerging technologies (AI-driven control systems, hybrid storage solutions, and nanotechnology applications);
The primary goal of this Special Issue is to disseminate cutting-edge research and practical insights that accelerate the adoption of sustainable TES technologies. By bridging the gap between theoretical advancements and real-world implementation, this Special Issue aims to foster innovation in TES for decarbonization efforts and highlight best practices and case studies demonstrating successful TES deployment.
We encourage the submission of papers that demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
The Special Issue will complement and expand current knowledge in TES by addressing research gaps, providing practical and policy-relevant insights and proposing an interdisciplinary perspective.
While the existing literature covers fundamental TES principles, this Special Issue will focus on novel materials (e.g., bio-based PCMs and high-temperature composites) and hybrid systems that improve storage density and efficiency. It will also explore AI and machine learning applications for predictive control, a relatively underexplored area in TES optimization.
We strongly encourage submissions that will emphasize scalable solutions and case studies from industry and urban energy systems. Contributions on policy frameworks, regulatory challenges, and economic feasibility will provide actionable insights for policymakers and businesses.
Dr. Valeria Palomba
Dr. Ilaria Marotta
Dr. Antonio Fotia
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
- thermal energy storage
- materials for energy
- system integration of thermal storage
- LCA of thermal energy storage
- testing methods
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
