Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.8
3.3
Journals
Sustainability
Special Issues
Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability
sustainability-logo
Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 20190

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mogalahalli V. Reddy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nouveau Monde Graphite (New Graphite World) (NMG), 6 Chemin Des Bouleaux, L'ange-Gardien, QC A8 J8L 0G2, Montreal, Canada
Interests: li-ion batteries; materials synthesis and characterization; energy storage; impedance spectroscopy; solid-state electrochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hussein A. Z. AL-bonsrulah

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mechanical Power Technical Engineering Department, Al-Amarah University College, Maysan, Iraq
Interests: renewable energy; CFD; sustainable energy; fuel cells; hydrogen; solar energy; wind energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dhinakaran Veeman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mechanical Engineering, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
Interests: computational mechanics; heat and fluid flow; additive manufacturing and welding
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coal, oil, and natural gas, which are used to generate power, account for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The need to manage greenhouse and other gases and compounds in the atmosphere will become increasingly dependent on energy efficiency in production, transmission, distribution, and consumption. Many developing countries are rapidly expanding their power supply infrastructures as governments and investors around the world develop an increased understanding of electricity's critical role in raising living standards and maintaining economic growth.

A source of energy is a requirement for socio-economic progress. In recent decades, the rapid economic growth of developing countries has resulted in an increase in energy consumption. Energy supply and security have become critical challenges not only for the progression of society but also for global political and economic patterns. Hence, energy is an essential factor in the overall efforts to achieve sustainable development, which can be accomplished by using renewable energy and ensuring citizens' access to inexpensive, reliable, sustainable, and contemporary energy.

This Special Issue intends to strengthen interdisciplinary research and share the dynamics and cutting-edge perspectives in the above-mentioned disciplines.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Current challenges and future directions in energy generation;
  • Biomass-based hydrogen generation;
  • Algae for hydrogen synthesis and creation of renewable energy;
  • Biomass conversion for biofuels via thermochemical and biochemical means;
  • Biological residues, procedures, and bio-methanation use of localized waste;
  • Wind energy;
  • Hydroelectricity;
  • Solar thermal electricity;
  • Geothermal;
  • Consumption of renewable energy.

Dr. Mogalahalli Reddy
Dr. Hussein A. Z. AL-bonsrulah
Dr. Dhinakaran Veeman
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

  • green hydrogen
  • renewable energy
  • bioelectrochemical
  • biogas
  • sustainability

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

48 pages, 21492 KiB  
Article
Design and Innovative Integrated Engineering Approaches Based Investigation of Hybrid Renewable Energized Drone for Long Endurance Applications
by Yinyin Wang, Lokeshkumar Kumar, Vijayanandh Raja, Hussein A. Z. AL-bonsrulah, Naveen Kumar Kulandaiyappan, Ashok Amirtharaj Tharmendra, Nagaraj Marimuthu and Mohammed Al-Bahrani
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16173; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316173 - 3 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2775
Abstract
At present, surveillance is attracting attention in the field of UAV development. In particular, border surveillance plays a vital role in obtaining the required data around the border and for assisting in military operations. The primary function of this Hybrid UAV (VTOL and [...] Read more.
At present, surveillance is attracting attention in the field of UAV development. In particular, border surveillance plays a vital role in obtaining the required data around the border and for assisting in military operations. The primary function of this Hybrid UAV (VTOL and Fixed Wing) is to provide prerequisite data, captured during day/night surveillance, to the respective database. One of the primary problems that arise in border patrolling is the use of the UAV under different environmental conditions, thereby reducing its endurance firmly. In addition to the surveillance equipment, energy harvesting techniques are involved in solving the problem of endurance. The piezoelectric energy harvester and solar panels are added to harvest electrical energy in the UAV. Based on this application, the conceptual design of the Hybrid UAV, based on nature, was designed and investigated theoretically, as well as computationally. A series of analysis, which includes Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis and Analytical approach, was used to determine the energy harvested from the energy harvester. This work confirms the proposed integrated engineering approach for the estimation of renewable energy, via PVEH patches, and the same approach is thus offered to researchers for subsequent applications. Additionally, a hybrid energy idea for newly developed drones was proposed in this work. This concept will be extensively used in the unmanned aircraft system sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 3142 KiB  
Article
Land Suitability Investigation for Solar Power Plant Using GIS, AHP and Multi-Criteria Decision Approach: A Case of Megacity Kolkata, West Bengal, India
by Bijay Halder, Papiya Banik, Hussein Almohamad, Ahmed Abdullah Al Dughairi, Motrih Al-Mutiry, Haya Falah Al Shahrani and Hazem Ghassan Abdo
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11276; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811276 - 8 Sep 2022
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4637
Abstract
Renewable energy sources are the most necessitated natural energy to reduce fossil fuels globally. Fossil fuel is the most valuable and limited resource on the planet, but on the other hand, renewable energy creates less pollution. Solar energy is the most effective renewable [...] Read more.
Renewable energy sources are the most necessitated natural energy to reduce fossil fuels globally. Fossil fuel is the most valuable and limited resource on the planet, but on the other hand, renewable energy creates less pollution. Solar energy is the most effective renewable resource for daily use. Solar power plants are necessary for domestic and daily use. Remote sensing and geographic information technology (GIS) were used for this study to delineate the possible site selection of solar power plants in Kolkata and the surrounding area in West Bengal, India. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the multi-criteria decision-making process (MCDA) were used for each weight calculation and ArcGIS v10.8 was applied for weighted overlay analysis (WOA) for delineation of the result. The site suitability map was developed using a pairwise comparison matrix and the weights were calculated for each criterion. The suitability map was divided into five categories, from not suitable to very highly suitable. A total of 474.21 km2 (10.69%) of the area was classified as very highly suitable whereas 249.54 km2 (5.62%) area was classified as not suitable because of the water area and east Kolkata wetland. A total of 1438.15 km2 (32.43%) of the area was classified as highly suitable for a solar power plant. The Kolkata megacity and water body locations were identified as moderate to not suitable sites. Very high and high-potential sites were identified 2 to 5 km from the central business district (CBD) location, which is Dharmotala. Renewable energy source is needed in the megacity of Kolkata. If solar power plants are contracted then the demand for fossil fuel will be reduced one day, and that will help the environment as well as the society in terms of sustainable development. This study result is helpful for administrators, urban planners, developers, and other stakeholders for the implementation and development of a new solar power plant in the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

51 pages, 55298 KiB  
Article
Multi-Parametric Investigations on Aerodynamic Force, Aeroacoustic, and Engine Energy Utilizations Based Development of Intercity Bus Associates with Various Drag Reduction Techniques through Advanced Engineering Approaches
by Yinyin Wang, Vijayanandh Raja, Senthil Kumar Madasamy, Sujithira Padmanaban, Hussein A. Z. AL-bonsrulah, Manivel Ramaiah, Parvathy Rajendran, Arul Prakash Raji, Anselme Muzirafuti and Fuzhang Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5948; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105948 - 13 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2375
Abstract
The impacts of conflicting aerodynamic forces and side drifting forces are the primary unstable elements in automobiles. The action of an unstable environment in automobile vehicles increases the chance of an accident occurring. As a result, much study is required to determine how [...] Read more.
The impacts of conflicting aerodynamic forces and side drifting forces are the primary unstable elements in automobiles. The action of an unstable environment in automobile vehicles increases the chance of an accident occurring. As a result, much study is required to determine how opposing aerodynamic forces and side drifting force affects function, as well as how to deal with them for safe and smooth navigation. In this work, an intercity bus is chosen as a main object, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is used to estimate aerodynamic forces on the bus in all major directions. Experimentation is also carried out for validation reasons. CFD findings for a scaled base model and a dimple-loaded model based on experimental results from a subsonic wind tunnel are demonstrated to be correct. The drag forces generated by CFD simulations on test models are carefully compared to the experimental drag findings of same-dimensioned models. The error percentages between the results of these two methods are acquired and the percentages are determined to be within an acceptable range of significant limitations. Following these validations, CATIA is used to create a total of nine distinct models, the first of which is a standard intercity bus, whereas the other eight models are fitted with drag reduction techniques such as dimples, riblets, and fins on the surface of their upper cumulus side. A sophisticated computational tool, ANSYS Fluent 17.2, is used to estimate the comparative assessments of the predictions of aerodynamic force fluctuations on bus models. Finally, dimples on the top and side surfaces of the bus model (DESIGN–I) are proposed as a more efficient model than other models because dimples are a vital component that may lower pressure drag on the bus by 18% in the main flow direction and up to 43% in the sideslip direction. Furthermore, by minimizing the different aerodynamic force sources without impacting the preparatory needs, the proposed model may provide comfortable travel. The real-time bus is created, and the finalized drag reduction is applied to the optimized places over the whole bus model. In addition, five distinct size-based bus models are developed and studied in terms of aerodynamic forces, necessary energy to resist aerodynamic drag, required forward force for successful movement, instantaneous demand for particular power, and fuel consumption rate. Finally, the formation of aeroacoustic noise owing to turbulence is estimated using sophisticated computer simulation. Last, for real-time applications, multi-parametric studies based on appropriate intercity buses are established. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

35 pages, 18795 KiB  
Article
Multi–Disciplinary Optimizations of Small-Scale Gravitational Vortex Hydropower (SGVHP) System through Computational Hydrodynamic and Hydro–Structural Analyses
by Yingzi Jiang, Arul Prakash Raji, Vijayanandh Raja, Fuzhang Wang, Hussein A. Z. AL-bonsrulah, Ramesh Murugesan and Sudhakaran Ranganathan
Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020727 - 10 Jan 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2741
Abstract
Hydropower is a superior energy extraction approach, which has been made to work based on renewable energy sources. In the generation of hydropower, Gravitational Vortex Hydropower (GVHP) plays a predominant contributor role because of its free turbulence-relayed energy utilization concept and flexible as [...] Read more.
Hydropower is a superior energy extraction approach, which has been made to work based on renewable energy sources. In the generation of hydropower, Gravitational Vortex Hydropower (GVHP) plays a predominant contributor role because of its free turbulence-relayed energy utilization concept and flexible as well as compact size. Owing to the huge contribution of GVHP in the hydropower sector, multi-objective-based investigations have emerged. However, there is still insufficient literature available for the technology to precede optimum turbine blade design. Two important categories are involved in these multidisciplinary investigations, in which the first phase, a numerical investigation has been done using ANSYS to identify the location of maximum tangential velocity in a conical basin with different notch angles, conical angles, basin shapes, anddiameters. In this second phase, the focal aim is to carry out the numerical investigation on Gravitation Vortex Turbine Blades (GVTB) for the different geometry in order to get the optimum power output with a high structural lifetime through HSI (Hydro–Structural Interaction) computation. The entire conceptual designs of this SGVHP and its hydro-rotors are modeled with the help of CATIA. ANSYS Fluent is a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) numerical tool, which is primarily used in this paper for all the hydrodynamic analyses. Finally, the standard analytical approaches are used for the comparative determinations of thrust production by hydro-rotors, power extraction by hydro-rotors, and propulsive efficiency for the selection process of best hydro-rotors. HSI analyses are additionally carried out and thereby the suitable lightweight material is picked. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

17 pages, 1817 KiB  
Review
Nanocatalyst-Based Biofuel Generation: An Update, Challenges and Future Possibilities
by Atreyi Pramanik, Anis Ahmad Chaudhary, Aashna Sinha, Kundan Kumar Chaubey, Mohammad Saquib Ashraf, Nosiba Suliman Basher, Hassan Ahmad Rudayni, Deen Dayal and Sanjay Kumar
Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6180; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076180 - 4 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3135
Abstract
Aggrandize industrialization and urbanization have resulted in many issues, such as increased energy demand, a plethora of waste output, and negative environmental consequences. As a result, there is excessive exploitation and over-usage of fuels and finite resources, which is paving the path for [...] Read more.
Aggrandize industrialization and urbanization have resulted in many issues, such as increased energy demand, a plethora of waste output, and negative environmental consequences. As a result, there is excessive exploitation and over-usage of fuels and finite resources, which is paving the path for the exhaustion of fuels. Extensive use of these fossil-derived fuels has caused serious threats to the environment in terms of greenhouse gases emission leading to breathing troubles and other associated health hazards. In order to mitigate the harmful effects of fossil-derived fuels, researchers are more focused towards the production and application of bio-based fuels like bioethanol, biodiesel, biohydrogen etc. These biofuels are produced from crops and edible/non-edible materials and emit much lower pollution compared to fossil-derived fuels. Even though biofuels are effective alternatives, high operational costs with low production volume are the major limitations of this process, which the available technologies cannot handle. With increasing application of nanoparticles as catalysts in several sectors due to its unique properties such as high catalytic activity, surface to volume ratio, mechanical properties, etc., its application in biofuels production has been explored recently. The present review focuses on the application of nanocatalysts in various stages of biofuel production, different types of nanocatalyst used in the innovative era and for biofuels production and their merits and demerits. The supply of biofuels, such as feedstock is large, and with improved processing, we may be able to significantly lower our reliance on fossil fuels. The present review discusses the current updates, future possibilities, and challenges of biofuels production to help make the country self-reliant in the field of green energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4511 KiB  
Review
Social Capital and Energy Transition: A Conceptual Review
by Grazia Giacovelli
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9253; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159253 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2989
Abstract
The impact of social factors in energy transition has become increasingly important in recent decades. In this context, Social Capital (SC) has been used to give greater importance to social aspects that can influence community involvement in the energy transition. Two approaches were [...] Read more.
The impact of social factors in energy transition has become increasingly important in recent decades. In this context, Social Capital (SC) has been used to give greater importance to social aspects that can influence community involvement in the energy transition. Two approaches were used to select the academic literature on SC and energy transition for this review, (1) a keyword search through the main bibliographical databases to ascertain the number of articles on this topic and (2) a theoretical investigation of certain aspects that unite or differentiate the various articles. Specifically, this review paper considers the different definitions given to SC in the energy field, the dimensions and indicators of SC considered in different studies, and the methods, qualitative or quantitative, used to operationalise SC. The review stresses some weaknesses in the literature, such as the split in the definition of SC in relation to the energy transition, the interaction of SC with social rather than individual factors of the person, and indicators of SC that can influence, positively or negatively, energy transition. A shared methodology should be developed with a multidisciplinary approach that would allow SC to be considered in its totality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy in the 21st Century Prospects and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop