Sufficiency, Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Sustainable Energy Scenarios

Dear Colleagues,

Improving energy efficiency and increasing the renewable energy share in the energy balance are universally understood as the cornerstones of the transition toward a low-carbon and sustainable economy. However, changes in our energy-consuming practices such as indoor comfort, mobility, etc. are as important parts of the transition as previously mentioned elements. The complementary roles of sustainable social practices, energy efficiency, and renewable energy in the overall picture provide a better chance for sustainable energy transition. Nevertheless, numerous research gaps need to be fulfilled. The most critical research questions are related to implementing each element, their feasibility measures, and the possibility of combining them to achieve synergies in sustainable energy scenarios.

In this context, energy sufficiency represents practices that lead to more sustainable energy resource consumption. It refers to reduced consumption of energy services while ensuring that basic needs related to energy services are covered in each household. Energy sufficiency is rarely reflected in the modeling of energy scenarios. Still, universal access to energy, energy poverty reduction, decent quality of life, and energy justice are inseparable elements of the sustainable energy transition. Thus, energy sufficiency has a potential to leverage the impact of energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy development.

This Special Issue welcomes review papers, original research, and case studies dealing with the role and impact of energy sufficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energies, and their combinations and integration into future sustainable energy scenarios. Furthermore, we welcome papers dealing with modeling of sufficiency as part of modeling of sustainable energy scenarios. It is expected that contributions will extend our existing knowledge on the role of sufficiency, efficiency, and/or renewable energy in  energy scenarios and/or provide policy recommendations and/or valuable insights for methodology improvements and practical solutions at the local, national, or global level.

Dr. Vidas Lekavičius
Prof. Michael Søgaard Jørgensen
Dr. Jānis Brizga
Prof. Dr. Dalia Streimikiene
Guest Editors

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