New Challenges in Waste-to-Energy and Bioenergy Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Energy security, which includes steps for replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprint, and minimizing impact on the environment, has become one of the most important challenges in energy policies worldwide. Waste-to-energy and bioenergy systems are types of renewable energy production that convert organic waste and biomaterials into usable energy sources, constituting a significant part of each country's energy mix. These green energy sources based on biowaste and biomass have interested scientists for many years, thereby resulting in numerous innovative technological solutions. Unfortunately, in many countries, the implementation of installations, such as thermal waste processing or anaerobic digestion, faces social resistance, despite the fact that we can produce biochar, biogas, and other biofuels in an economically and environmentally effective way in safety biorefineries. 

The efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact of waste-to-energy and bioenergy systems depend on various factors such as technology, feedstock availability, waste management practices, and government policies. All of these factors are extremely important due to climate change and the implementation of the circular economy concept. The utilization of increasing amounts of waste for energy production can serve as an important alternative to energy systems providing electricity and heat to residents. Additionally, producing energy from waste and biomaterials helps to reduce the amount of waste on landfills. 

We are pleased to invite you to publish your research in this Special Issue, which focuses on recent advancements in the conversion of waste and biomaterials into bioenergy, particularly biogas, biochar, biodiesel and bioethanol, biomethane and biohydrogen. The number of articles published each year on similar topics indicates the need to search for new and innovative materials, technological solutions and optimal conditions for the processing of these wastes and biomaterials, especially in regard to reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change.

The submissions should contribute novel and noteworthy research to the relevant literature. Accordingly, research papers are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Energy and economic challenges in the waste-to-energy and bioenergy system field and related social problems;
• Optimization of operation of waste and biomaterials treatment facilities;
• Technological challenges in the production and use of refuse-derived fuels, biowaste, biochar, biodiesel and bioethanol, biogas, and biomethane; 
• Environmental impact or life cycle assessment of processes and systems for waste and biomaterials treatment into bioenergy.

Dr. Mateusz Malinowski
Dr. Stanisław Famielec
Prof. Dr. Atilgan Atilgan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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-anonymized 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.