Towards Sustainability: Advanced Research on Renewable Energy Policy and Smart City

Dear Colleagues,

In the dynamic and evolving landscape of global sustainability, the integration of renewable energy policies within the smart city framework is identified as a critical frontier in both research and application. This Special Issue, published in the journal of Sustainability, aims to explore and expand the boundaries of this integration, addressing its complex challenges and opportunities.

(1) Introduction: The necessity for sustainable development is unprecedented, driven by the pressing exigencies of climate change, urbanization, and resource depletion. The convergence of renewable energy policies and smart city development lies at the core of this challenge, offering innovative pathways towards sustainability. The scientific landscape of this research domain is diverse and interdisciplinary, encompassing environmental science, urban planning, renewable energy technology, policy studies, and socio-economic analysis, among others.

(2) Aim: The primary aim of this Special Issue is to cultivate a profound understanding of the effective integration of renewable energy policies within smart cities in order to advance sustainable development. This objective aligns seamlessly with the broader mission of the journal of Sustainability, which is dedicated to disseminating cutting-edge research that enhances our understanding and implementation of sustainable practices across various sectors of society.

(3) Suggest themes. To encapsulate the breadth and interdisciplinary essence of this field, the following themes are proposed for contributions:

• Innovative renewable energy technologies and their applicability within urban settings.
• Policy frameworks and governance models for integrating renewable energy solutions in smart cities.
• Case studies of the successful implementation of renewable energy policies in urban areas.
• The socio-economic impacts of renewable energy policies within the smart city context.
• Future-oriented studies on the evolution of smart cities with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
• Interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the challenges of scaling renewable energy solutions in urban environments.
• Digital technologies and data analytics in renewable energy integration.
• Public engagement and community-based approaches in renewable energy initiatives.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Technological Innovations in Renewable Energy: Studies focusing on the development, implementation, and efficiency of renewable energy technologies within urban environments. This includes solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy solutions tailored for smart cities.
2. Policy and Governance for Sustainable Urban Energy: Research on the creation, implementation, and impact of policies aimed at promoting renewable energy in urban areas. This may include policy analyses, comparative studies of different governance models, and assessments of policy effectiveness.
3. Smart Infrastructure and Urban Planning: Investigations into how urban planning and smart infrastructure can support and enhance the integration of renewable energy sources in cities. This can encompass smart grids, energy storage solutions, and the design of urban spaces that facilitate energy efficiency and sustainability.
4. Socio-Economic Impacts of Renewable Energy Policies: Studies that examine the social, economic, and cultural implications of adopting renewable energy policies within urban contexts. This includes the analyses of job creation, energy equity, community engagement, and the socio-economic benefits of transitioning to renewable energy.
5. Case Studies of Smart City Implementations: Detailed case studies of cities around the world that have successfully integrated renewable energy policies and technologies. These studies should provide insights into the challenges faced, strategies employed, and outcomes achieved.
6. Future Perspectives on Smart Cities and Renewable Energy: Forward-looking research that explores the potential future developments in smart city design and renewable energy integration. This might include predictive modelling, scenario planning, and explorations of emerging technologies and policies.
7. Interdisciplinary and Cross-Sectoral Approaches: Contributions that showcase how interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations can address the complex challenges of implementing renewable energy policies in smart cities. This might include partnerships between governments, industries, academia, and communities.

 We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Yanchao Feng
Dr. Yayun Ren
Dr. Javier Cifuentes-Faura
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.

• renewable energy
• smart cities
• sustainable development
• urban planning
• energy policy
• technological innovation
• energy efficiency
• socio-economic impacts
• digital technologies
• urban resilience