Sustainable Energy & Society—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues, 

Today, the sustainable supply of energy resources is seen, worldwide, as the key determinant of both economic and social development. “Sustainability”, in this particular context, combines two important notions – “stability” [of energy supply] and its friendliness to the natural environment. Societies across the globe are attempting to find, develop, and implement energy solutions that are eco-friendly, economically feasible, and socially tolerable. This has been a challenging task for both policy-makers and researchers. Innovations and R&D are an integral part of this process, which is covering a wide array of research directions: sustainability of logistics and supply; development of new, more efficient technical solutions; adjustment of the already functioning energy systems to the changing political, economic and environmental context; public awareness changes and overall social context as applied to sustainable energy.

In this specific research context, the Special Issue “Sustainable Energy and Society” is collecting texts that cover the following topics: government regulation of changes in energy systems; social and socio-cultural changes due to changes in the national energy systems; growing prosumer attitudes to energy supply and energy use; description of implemented local “green” initiatives; SME interests and participation in the alternative energy development; energy equality and energy justice across the globe and in the context of developing nations especially.

Prof. Dr. Yuriy Bilan
Guest Editor

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• public discourse in sustainable energy policy
• changes in the national energy systems
• social and socio-economic changes caused by the energy transition
• socio-cultural shift from consumer to prosumer in the energy sector
• local “green” sustainable initiatives
• SME interests and participation in alternative energy development
• the cultures of energy consumption: national, regional and local levels
• food wastes management, sustainable approach
• justice in energy distribution, energy poverty
• forecasting energy demand trends

• Sustainable Energy & Society in Energies (16 articles)

Title: A Bidirectional SEPIC Converter with a Wide Conversion Ratio and Non-Dissipative Current Snubber
Authors: L. Chitra; Kothai Andal C.
Affiliation: Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering, AMC Engineering College, India
Abstract: This article presents a wide conversion ratio bidirectional dc-dc converter based on a bidirectional modified Single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC converter). A key feature of this modified SEPIC converter is the non-dissipative current snubber circuit, which is used to achieve zero current switching and to suppress voltage spikes that occur during MOSFET switching. The snubber is made up of a capacitor, an inductor, and a diode that work together to form a resonant circuit that absorbs the voltage spike and returns it to the circuit without dissipating it. Even with conventional MOSFETs, high efficiency is achieved. The SEPIC converter differs from other bi-directional DC-DC converters in that it provides continuous output current, has fewer components, and can provide high conversion ratios of step-up and step-down voltage without exceedingly low or high duty-cycle. This paper presents a theoretical analysis with stages of operation in both step-up and step-down modes, theoretical waveforms, and the design procedure, as well as a comparison with other bidirectional dc-dc converter topologies.

Title: Social Dimensions of European Green Deal and Impact of Sustainability
Authors: Aleksandra Puczko; Anna Mazur; Adam Kozień
Affiliation: Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to show relations between the European Green Deal and the social impacts on energy transition processes from the perspective of social regulations. Therefore the introduction to the analysis is the presentation of forms of the social impacts on energy politics including energy democracy, energy citizenship, prosumers and their connection to sustainability. In this framework are conducted further parts of the argument of the problem from general perspective of the European Union regulations, especially the European Grean Deal and the detailed perspectie of member countries from different accession periods, in this also Poland. This approach helps to show how the European Grean Deal impacts the society but also symultanously fulfills and shapes the meaning of sustainability. Through the chosen perspective it is possible to indicate threats or chances this solution gives but first of all different ways of dealing with them through the experiences of member states.