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Energy and Urban Development – Challenges for Smart Logistic in the SME Sector

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 April 2023) | Viewed by 8406

Special Issue Editors

Faculty of Economics, Department of Finance, Koszalin University of Technology, Kwiatkowskiego 6e, 75-343 Koszalin, Poland
Interests: personal finance; corporate finance; farm finance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to submit articles for the Special Issue of Energies on “Energy and Urban Development—Challenges for Smart Logistics in the SME Sector”.

The interdisciplinary nature of logistics locates this specialization in various areas of the economy and modern science, including the issues of energy supply and urban development. The leading currents for logistics, energy distribution and the development of cities and regions are technical and economic sciences, information technologies, transport and communication, this multiplicity showing the strength of the field, inspiring the use of modern solutions.

Efficient logistics management is, undoubtedly, the source of success for many companies and cities, and the presently biggest challenge for this success is an uninterrupted supply of cheap energy. Within an enterprise, the logistics system is referred to as a comprehensive set of tasks aiming to improve the functioning of individual links in the supply chain and the entire logistics system. The internal logistics system of each production, commercial or service company connects with external logistics systems of suppliers, creating a coherent organizational structure. The development of the transport, forwarding, logistics and energy supply industries forces the adaptation of new strategic behaviors due to the significant increase in the presence of new technologies, the digitization of the supply chain, globalization and process automation. The condition of this segment is closely dependent on the situation in the trade and industry, as well as fluctuations in the general economy. Logistics, energy management and development are also a challenge for logistically efficient cities to attract investors and become competitive.

The purpose of logistics systems is to provide the best and most effective transport conditions for both people and products. When developing transport planning strategies, it becomes a major challenge to consider the correlation and interactions between transport, the economy, energy sources, land utilization, the environment and noise and pollution levels. In particular, the urban pollution problem resulting from the use of conventional energy sources has been raised in public debate. The indication of present times is the recognition of the importance of ecologistics, which concerns the implementation of tasks in the field of logistics in accordance with the principles of environmental protection and the use of alternative energy sources. The alarming level of atmospheric air pollution and the acoustic nuisance of urban areas have a negative impact on economic entities operating in a given urban structure. Therefore, a tremendous challenge today is the activities undertaken to create an integrated communication policy in cities, the so-called smart logistics, saving energy resources.

The logistics services market is changing dynamically, with ongoing quantitative and qualitative processes forcing most small and medium-sized logistics companies to determine strategic decisions related to the scope and manner of providing services and adapting to environmental requirements. Modern trends in logistics, primarily globalization, information technology, the use of green energy or focusing on the essence of the company's competences, impel enterprises to adapt to constant changes and new trends, which, in turn, increase the organizational efficiency and economic efficiency of these enterprises.

Therefore, this Special Issue of Energies will focus on innovations in the field of logistics systems, the distribution and use of alternative energy sources, innovations in the field of transport and tourism management, electromobility in the warehouse, the concept of ecological warehouses and the creation of smart zero-emission cities. Sustainable development based on smart logistics in SMEs, taking into account low-emission and energy-saving technologies, will cause cities to encourage favorable socio-economic and environmental changes.

We are convinced that this Special Issue will inspire the authors to submit original research papers related to the functioning of energy-smart logistics systems, setting the directions for the development of SME activities.

Prof. Dr. Danuta Zawadzka
Dr. Anna Szczepańska-Przekota
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. Energies 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 2600 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

  • energy-efficient smart cities
  • smart waste management using green technologies
  • energy-efficient transport for tourism
  • transport and logistics development problems
  • transport and logistics infrastructure
  • TFL services market problems (transport, forwarding, logistics)
  • supply chain management
  • enterprise logistics
  • analysis of logistics systems
  • innovations in transport and logistics
  • IT systems in transport and logistics
  • quality management in transport and logistics
  • transport and logistics in relation to sustainable development
  • legal aspects of transport and logistics
  • smart technologies for sustainable urban logistics
  • the future of city logistics towards an intelligent and emission-free system

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 1395 KiB  
Article
A Theoretical Framework for a Local Energy Innovation System Based on the Renewable Energy Case of Poland
by Patrycjusz Zarębski and Dominik Katarzyński
Energies 2023, 16(9), 3695; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16093695 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2564
Abstract
The aim of this research is to create a theoretical framework for a local energy innovation system based on renewable energy sources. For this purpose, four types of clusters were outlined based on energy-generation capacity and socio-economic factors such as “local wealth”, “relational [...] Read more.
The aim of this research is to create a theoretical framework for a local energy innovation system based on renewable energy sources. For this purpose, four types of clusters were outlined based on energy-generation capacity and socio-economic factors such as “local wealth”, “relational capital”, “scientific and research capital” and “energy demand”. This classification revealed areas of Poland that have diverse features in terms of energy-generation capacity and innovation abilities. For each type of area, energy potentials combined with innovation abilities were established. To understand how areas with insufficient energy and innovation capacities could be supported in their development of local energy sovereignty, the concept of the regional innovation system has been adjusted. The results of the research can serve as an aid in the development of national and regional energy policies focused on the specificity and capacity of energy generation and innovation of each area. Full article
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13 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
Diversification of Equipment in the IT Infrastructure of Enterprises in Central Pomerania in Poland
by Jerzy Korczak and Dorota Janiszewska
Energies 2022, 15(23), 8859; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15238859 - 23 Nov 2022
Viewed by 676
Abstract
The IT infrastructure is the basis for the efficient and effective flow of logistic information between the individual elements of the logistical system. Therefore, the aim of this research was to assess the diversification of equipment in IT infrastructure in enterprises in Central [...] Read more.
The IT infrastructure is the basis for the efficient and effective flow of logistic information between the individual elements of the logistical system. Therefore, the aim of this research was to assess the diversification of equipment in IT infrastructure in enterprises in Central Pomerania in Poland. The research was conducted in 2021 using the CAWI method. The research covers five categories of IT infrastructure: IT equipment, software/applications, means of communication, devices cooperating in the smart internet network and other devices. The study was conducted on a sample of 353 enterprises located in the area of Central Pomerania. The results of the conducted research indicate that the degree of use of the IT infrastructure in the analyzed enterprises varies. Taking into account the size of the enterprise, IT infrastructure is much more often used by large and medium enterprises than by small and micro enterprises. In addition, the results also show the diversification of the use of IT infrastructure depending on the business profile of the enterprise. Among the various sections of activity, IT infrastructure is most often used by enterprises from Section C (industrial processing) and from Section H (transport and warehouse management). Full article
15 pages, 887 KiB  
Article
Logistics Centers in Ukraine: Analysis of the Logistics Center in Lviv
by Joanna Alicja Dyczkowska and Olga Reshetnikova
Energies 2022, 15(21), 7975; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15217975 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2283
Abstract
The article analyzes the functioning of existing logistics centers in Ukraine. The logistics real estate segment was developed dynamically in Ukraine in the years before the full-scale invasion of Russia. Most logistics complexes are located in the Kyiv region, sometimes in the cities [...] Read more.
The article analyzes the functioning of existing logistics centers in Ukraine. The logistics real estate segment was developed dynamically in Ukraine in the years before the full-scale invasion of Russia. Most logistics complexes are located in the Kyiv region, sometimes in the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv. Logistics real estate has suffered significant damage since the start of the war, and some warehouses have been completely destroyed. In order to fulfill a coordinating and integrating role in the implementation of logistics operations in the western region of Ukraine, the authors proposed the creation of a powerful regional logistics center in Lviv. The operation of the center will ensure the provision of a full range of logistics services based on the criterion of minimizing the loss of time and money. The authors proposed an algorithm for determining the optimal location of the logistics center in the region. The regional logistics center has been developed, together with its organizational and functional structure and the relationships between its components. Full article
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9 pages, 950 KiB  
Article
Wood Waste Management in Europe through the Lens of the Circular Bioeconomy
by Marcin Zbieć, Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska and Nina Drejerska
Energies 2022, 15(12), 4352; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15124352 - 14 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2094
Abstract
Over 30% of the world’s land area is covered by forests. Approximately 761 million m3 of wood is harvested annually in Europe (2017). The aim of the paper is to assess the amount of wood (biomass) produced in Europe per year, as [...] Read more.
Over 30% of the world’s land area is covered by forests. Approximately 761 million m3 of wood is harvested annually in Europe (2017). The aim of the paper is to assess the amount of wood (biomass) produced in Europe per year, as it determines the amount of carbon dioxide released from wood because of combustion for heating and energy purposes. The circular bioeconomy was applied as the theoretical framework for this study. The study employs official statistics on material flows and also uses a technology assessment, which allows for more precise estimations. It can be estimated that 110 million tons of harvested woody biomass are converted into energy every year. This constitutes nearly 69% of processed wood, with burned wood treated as zero-emission. From the analysis of the compiled results, it can be concluded that, in Europe, more than 50% of the mass of raw wood material harvested per year is used for energy in the first stage of processing by manufacturing industries. These processes produce products that become the raw material for further processing, as a result of which, further amounts of wood biomass are used for energy purposes. Full article
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