Aims and scope

Ensuring universal access to affordable and clean energy is one of the goals of the UN agenda for sustainable development. Progress towards these SDG targets is therefore a priority need, demanding not only techno-economic efforts for energy provisioning but also societal engagement for its implementing. Transformation towards sustainable energy systems requires systemic and holistic innovations that include a sustainable supply of resources, the development of highly efficient technical solutions and the adaptation of energy systems to the environmental, economic and cultural context as well as the social and political framework.

The aim of the journal is to provide an international and interdisciplinary forum for the discourse between natural scientists, engineers, social & political scientists as well as experts from industry who drive the innovation of sustainable energy systems. It is the particular aim of this journal to publish papers extending across different disciplines and providing a substantial contribution to the holistic innovation of these energy systems.

The scope of the journal encompasses the whole innovation process ranging from scientific research to both innovative approaches for technology implementation and the analysis of economic, social and environmental impacts of sustainable energy systems. Main emphasis will therefore be placed on papers addressing complex issues with innovation potential at the interface between technical solutions, their implementation and their social, environmental and economic impacts and indicating both novelty and potential for practical application.

Hence, the journal covers papers in complex topics dealing with

• research, development and implementation of sustainable energy sources and systems, including for instance bio-refineries, carbon capture, reuse systems;
• from start to finish the efficient supply of resources by means of their technological cascading conversion, via their storage and distribution through to their end-use;
• the development of regionally adapted sustainable energy and material supply systems and discourse on how to transform urban settlements into smart cities;
• systemic approaches to link information technologies with energy technologies that meet the social and environmental criteria for sustainable development;
• political and economic frameworks to improve the environmental, economic and social performance of energy systems;
• concepts for discovering novel energy sources, energy mixes and energy systems requiring a large variety of technological solutions, sophisticated computer simulations, novel laboratory technologies, large-scale research facilities, as well as scenario development and national and international networks;
• and in general, inform about the complex interactions between energy, sustainable development and societal change.

The editors particularly welcome papers that integrate at least two dimensions of the energy, sustainability and society nexus and contribute to new holistic system solutions for the development of novel future energy.

The journal does not consider manuscripts focusing solely on fossil and nuclear energy resources; sustainability and/or society; or more specific technical aspects regarding energy engineering, electrical or electronical engineering, etc.

Energy, Sustainability and Society publishes independently peer-reviewed original full-length research papers, review papers and forum articles. Of special interest are papers on innovative approaches. From time to time, the journal includes special topical or conference issues that concentrate on specific areas.

We partner with scientists from the Helmholtz Association and the European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance (ESEIA) as the topics of the journal reflect their research field and focus.