Advanced Energy Systems and Technologies for Building Energy Efficiency to Achieve Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

The need for sustainable development has never been more urgent. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality, the built environment emerges as a critical focus area. Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and a similar percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the role of energy efficiency in buildings is not just a matter of economic prudence; it is a cornerstone for achieving broader sustainability goals.

This Special Issue, titled "Advanced Energy Systems and Technologies for Building Energy Efficiency to Achieve Sustainability" aims to serve as a high-impact platform for interdisciplinary research that bridges advanced energy systems, smart control technologies, and sustainability in the built environment. It aligns with the overarching mission of the journal Sustainability, which is to foster cross-disciplinary academic research and dialogue in the service of sustainable development. This Special Issue will focus on innovative modeling and simulation techniques that can help design, analyze, and control energy-efficient buildings, thereby contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations.

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

1. Advanced Energy Systems: Exploration of cutting-edge energy systems like microgrids, renewable energy sources, and energy storage in the context of building applications;
2. Smart Control Technologies: Investigation into intelligent control systems that optimize energy consumption, enhance occupant comfort, and contribute to grid stability;
3. Building Information Modeling (BIM): Use of BIM for energy analysis, life cycle assessment, and real-time monitoring to improve building sustainability;
4. Machine Learning and Data Analytics: Application of machine learning algorithms and big data analytics for predictive control and energy management in buildings;
5. Life Cycle Assessment: Comprehensive studies that evaluate the environmental impact of building materials, construction processes, and operational efficiency;
6. Policy and Regulation: Analysis of existing and proposed policies that influence building energy efficiency, including international treaties and national codes;
7. Human–Building Interactions: Examination of how human behavior impacts energy consumption and how this can be modeled to improve building performance;
8. Socio-Economic Factors: Consideration of the economic feasibility and social implications of implementing advanced energy and control systems in buildings;
9. Case Studies: Detailed case studies that demonstrate the successful application of modeling and simulations in real-world building projects;
10. Future Trends: Discussion on emerging technologies and methodologies that have the potential to revolutionize building energy efficiency and sustainability.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yuanda Cheng
Dr. Wenzhuo Li
Dr. Zhipeng Deng
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.

• low-carbon technology in buildings
• building simulation
• advanced modeling approaches for building energy efficiency
• advanced machine learning approaches for building energy efficiency
• advanced optimization tools for building energy efficiency
• life cycle assessment
• building sustainability