Energy

Energy is a central component of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), explicitly reflected in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. However, the theme of energy cuts across multiple SDGs, demonstrating the interconnectivity of these global goals.

SDG 7's objective is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Energy, in its various forms, is a vital driver of economic growth and is pivotal to nearly all aspects of development. Without a steady and reliable supply of energy, societies can hardly progress. However, millions of people around the world still lack access to modern and clean energy services. The emphasis on "affordable and clean" energy within this goal shows the need to transition from traditional energy sources, often characterized by high environmental costs, to more sustainable ones like wind, solar, and hydropower.

Energy's role is also significant in achieving other SDGs. For example, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, emphasizes the need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean technologies. It is almost impossible to achieve this without a sustainable energy framework. Similarly, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, calls for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, and one of its targets (11.6) directly refers to the environmental impact of cities, for which energy is a key factor.

Furthermore, energy is a crucial player in SDG 13: Climate Action. The energy sector represents the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to a sustainable energy future, therefore, is critical for tackling climate change. Efforts to reduce emissions and promote clean energy sources are crucial to mitigate climate change and its impacts.

This chapter explores strategies to reduce air pollution through sustainable energy practices, urban design, and mobility solutions, aimed at creating environmentally friendly and economically sustainable cities. At the household level, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy for electricity, cooking, and heating is essential, along with effective waste management and energy-efficient building designs. At the urban level, the “five-minute city” design is emphasized, promoting access to essential services within a short walk or bike ride, reducing reliance on private vehicles, and encouraging active transport. This chapter also underscores the role of urban green spaces in lowering pollution, enhancing public health, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Finally, improvements in urban mobility—efficient public transport, infrastructure for walking and cycling, and fleet electrification—further support these goals. By adopting an integrated approach, cities can significantly improve air quality, foster economic sustainability, and enhance overall livability.
When considering urban energy transition, including renewable energy sources (RES) development in an urban space, we must be aware of the complexity of this issue. As usual, attention is first paid to infrastructural conditions, but the energy transition is a multifaceted process. In addition to technological and financial factors, spatial, social, cultural, and historical variables are pivotal because lasting change requires a participatory perspective and contextualization of actions. The study aims to explore the epistemological role of RES installations in urban spaces, focusing on their capacity to domesticate and normalize renewable energy practices in cities. We explored the theoretical side of the issue and provided some background on implementing RES in selected urban spaces in Poland. We pay special attention to their composition in the urban landscape and their potential role in the domestication of renewables in cities. RES installations have a chance to become iconic objects in urban spaces and, therefore, directly influence its inhabitants' social and sustainable practices.
Elsevier,

Fuelling the Future: Intelligent Approaches for Harnessing Hydrogen Energy, Volume , 1 January 2025

This chapter explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in biohydrogen production, a promising renewable energy technology. Biohydrogen is regarded as a potential renewable bioenergy resource. There are many processes through which it can be produced, for example, thermochemical and biological processes like pyrolysis, electrolysis, dark fermentation, and photo-fermentation. It is more economically viable when it is produced from waste materials such as waste biomass via microbial fermentation or light-driven chemical reactions. In the last decade, AI or intelligent systems have revolutionized scientific research. Prospectively, classical AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning algorithms can be applied to optimize biohydrogen production processes. These techniques including reinforcement learning, artificial neural networks, and genetic algorithms can help optimize crucial influential parameters affecting biohydrogen production efficiency and yield. Random forest and support vector machine are two specific ML algorithms that can improve process monitoring, yield prediction, and address challenges for biohydrogen production by managing complex data, accurately predicting outcomes with improved scalability for industrial production processes. The chapter also highlights AI applications in biohydrogen production employing various AI tools like jellyfish optimizer and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system that optimize operational conditions in microbial electrolysis cells, enhancing hydrogen yield from wastewater. However, there are many challenges to implement AI-based systems in practice at large that include data limitations, real-world variability, scalability, and supportive technology to AI. Moreover, intelligent systems’ limited adaptability, to date proven credibility and human oversight importance were also discussed with associated ethical concerns. It also needs continuous monitoring and improvement for economically viable and sustainable production processes. Emerging technological trends in biohydrogen production focus on autonomous AI-based production systems, predictive modeling, appropriate management of supply chain, and sustainability valuation. Future AI developments aim to make biohydrogen production more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable.
This study projects the energy cneeds and carbon footprints of energy centres in Germany by 2030 and maps the pathway towards zero emissions.
Elsevier,

Cell Reports Physical Science, Volume 6, 15 January 2025

Daytime radiative cooling and photovoltaic energy generation are poorly compatible, as they have competing physical demands. Here, a transmission-based radiative cooling system is integrated with solar cells, allowing simultaneous cooling and photovoltaic power generation in sunny weather.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews three global experts, Ronald DiPippo, Andrew Chiasson, and Luis Carlos Gutiérrez-Negrín. Their book, the 2nd edition of Geothermal Power Generation, was recently published by Elsevier. They discuss the development and potential of geothermal energy as a reliable and sustainable energy source, and how their work aligns with the UN sustainable development goals.
This chapter supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by exploring innovative approaches to enhance solar energy harvesting using plasmonic nanoparticles, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar energy systems. It also contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting sustainable energy technologies that help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.

This chapter supports UN SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action) by promoting the transition to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, fostering technological innovation, and emphasizing collaboration and innovation to drive the development of cleaner and more efficient energy solutions for a sustainable future.

Elsevier,

Michael Deighton, Chapter One - Introduction, Powering through the Transition, Elsevier, 2025, Pages 1-17.

This chapter supports UN SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by promoting the transition to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, fostering technological innovation, and emphasizing collaboration and innovation to drive the development of cleaner and more efficient energy solutions for a sustainable future.

Elsevier,

Cuce & Cuce, Solar Chimney Power Plants: From Theory to Practice, 2025, Pages 1-24

This chapter aligns with SDGs 7, 11, and 13, by introducing solar chimney power plants as a clean energy solution, and their role in supporting sustainable communities and climate.

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