Dear Colleagues,

The search for sustainable energy systems is not a new concept, with a great deal of research historically focused on renewable or sustainable elements. With global pressures on resources and the environment from population-related pressures, there is an imminent need to have a coordinated, systematic approach to sustainable systems for utilities and large-scale industrial energy usage. Globally, utilities and large industries represent a significant proportion of the world’s energy consumption and consequently affect many ecosystems. The industrial inertia to be overcome when making sustainable change is often cited as an inhibiting factor in realizing sustainable energy systems. A more holistic approach that shows multiple benefits is more likely to succeed but often relies on multidisciplinary approaches being utilized.

With a systematic approach in mind, the focus of this Special Issue is to highlight the inclusion of novel sustainable elements in systems using large amounts of energy in utilities and industry. Contributors should champion not just the technical merit of individual elements, but also show how they balance planet, people and profit aspects in their respective systems. As an example, the limited seasonal generation of energy from crop waste such as bagasse is admirable, but still requires the energy network to have the same size infrastructure. Conversely, a more beneficial approach would include storage and cogeneration of other products, providing some relief to energy system operators and a more diverse range of sustainable jobs for the community.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that address the holistic sustainability of energy generation and industrial systems. Special attention will be given to submissions that demonstrate the use of the “triple bottom line” approach to novel large-scale industrial and utility system design and management.

Dr. Les Bowtell
Dr. Tony Ahfock
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.

• triple bottom line for energy systems
• integration of distributed renewables
• incorporation of process waste in the energy cycle
• sustainable systems in low socio-economic societies
• maintaining sparse energy grid systems