Editorial: Recent advances in energy systems for sustainable development

Editorial on the Research Topic
Recent advances in energy systems for sustainable development

Being the primary engine of global economic activity, energy obtained from non-renewable sources also plays a large role in environmental damage. In order to move toward clean and green energy and achieve net-zero carbon emissions, it is crucial to develop reliable and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels as well as smart and sustainable energy technology. The seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) aims to ensure that everyone has access to modern, dependable, cheap energy. Unfortunately, developing countries are currently experiencing an energy crisis. This challenge requires innovative and transformative solutions; hence a variety of methodologies and technologies are required. These include advancing cleaner and more cost-effective fossil fuel technology as well as moving toward cleaner power generation based on effective energy management strategies and policies that minimize energy waste and consumption. We also require radical adjustments in the way we use and provide energy services if we are to adapt to the shifting global energy landscape. The fundamental tenet of conserving our limited resources, which are required for the needs of future generations, is known as sustainable development.

The increasing recognition that we must transition away from fossil fuel dependence and towards a sustainable energy future makes this Research Topic both timely and relevant. Moreover, considering continued development and application of energy as essential to the sustainable advancement of society, all aspects of the energy options, including performance against known criteria, efficiency, processing and utilization requirements are essential for critical examination. Based on the above, the Frontiers in Energy Research Journal agreed to host a Research Topic about Recent Advances in Energy Systems for Sustainable Development. This Special Research Topic focuses on the practical issues surrounding energy efficiency, energy conservation & management and renewable energy concepts and systems in achieving sustainable development. Nearly 28 papers have been submitted to this Research Topic, and 12 have been finally accepted, including 7 original research papers, 4 review papers and 1 correction paper. This Research Topic received very positive and supportive responses from various stakeholders globally. Since it began in 2023, there were 41,010 total views; 24,356 article views; 7,613 article downloads and 16,654 Research Topic views as of 24 November 2025. Twelve articles published within this Research Topic can be found at: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/56757/recent-advances-in-energy-systems-for-sustainable-development/articles.

The paper “Should energy efficiency be improved? The impact of energy efficiency improvements on green economic growth—evidence from China” by Wu et al. evaluates energy efficiency with the Sustainable Business Model (SBM) and constructs a system of green economic growth index, and verifies the relationship between energy efficiency improvement and green economic growth with an econometric model using China as case study. The following findings are reached in this study: 1) On the whole, energy efficiency improvement is currently inhibiting the growth of its green economy. However, as the energy efficiency level increases, the inhibitory effect gradually weakens, showing a non-linear trajectory of “inhibition—weakening inhibition”. 2) In the short term, China is still in the expansion stage of energy consumption, and the development of its green economy is thus limited to a certain extent. 3) The expansion of the nation’s industrial sectors will intensify resource consumption and pollutant emissions, while technological innovation and urbanization levels can ease the current strenuous status of energy rebound.

In their study on “Promoting the use of bioenergy in developing nations: a CDM route to sustainable development”, Dirisu et al. (2024) review strategies to promote the use of bioenergy in developing nations via a clean development mechanism (CDM) route. The study focuses on a forensic assessment of bioenergy utilization in developing countries, emphasizing how to improve bioenergy resources for a sustainable economy and development.

The paper “Experimental evaluation of the performance and power output enhancement of a divergent solar chimney power plant by increasing the chimney height” by Prasad and Ahmed experimentally evaluates the performance and power output enhancement of a divergent solar chimney power plant by increasing the chimney height. The study shows that: 1) the temperature rise in the collector is the highest for the 4 m tall solar chimney power plant (SCPP) with an exit temperature of 50.8 °C and the smallest for the 8m SCPP with an exit temperature of 43.6 °C due to the shorter stay of air in the taller chimney. 2) the temperature drops along the chimney height was the maximum for the 8 m SCPP and minimum for the 4 m SCPP. 3) the air velocity at the turbine section increased with chimney height for all solar insolation and a maximum air velocity of 8.29 m/s was recorded for the 8 m SCPP; it was observed that the increase in the maximum air velocity is not linear but tends to be logarithmic. 4) the maximum turbine output power for the 8m tall SCPP increased by 252% compared to the 4m tall SCPP indicating that significant improvement in the power output can be achieved by increasing the height of a divergent chimney SCPP.

The study on “Enhancing the biomethane yield of groundnut shells using deep eutectic solvents for sustainable energy production” by Olatunji and Madyira investigates the deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment of groundnut shells using choline chloride and ethyl glycerol at different solid: liquid ratios and temperatures to enhance biomethane yield for sustainable energy production. Results of the study reveal that a solid: liquid ratio of 1:2 at 100 °C produced the optimum biomethane yield. This study concludes that, DES pretreatment using choline chloride and ethyl glycerol is a bright, low-cost pretreatment method for enhancing the biomethane yield of lignocellulose feedstocks.

The article on “Control strategies in enhanced stand-alone mini-grid operations for the NESI–an overview” by Balogun et al. reviews control strategies in enhanced stand-alone mini-grid operations for the Nigerian electricity supply industry (NESI). The study shows that the power infrastructure layouts in various climes investigated are identified to have common control objectives, such as efficiency optimization. What really differs in all of the climes was in the availability of resources for distributed generation. Usually, technical, economical, and environmental factors dictated the choice of suitable technological outlay for stand-alone distribution grids. Therefore, the applicable control strategies in this reviewed paper can be adopted in the NESI to enhance mini-grid operations and promote green energy generation and utilization.

Modelling and optimization of operating parameters for improved steam energy production in the food and beverage industry in a developing country was carried out by Olusanya et al. This study focused on refining operational parameters in a steam production plant to maximize steam energy output. It utilized mathematical models and optimization tools to identify ideal operational conditions and investigate extreme scenarios. Design-Expert version 13.0 statistical software and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) via Centre Composite Design (CCD) were employed to create a comprehensive design matrix encompassing key variables like time, pressure levels, temperature, mass flow rate, and steam energy production across three experimental levels. The study shows that increased pressure and time significantly boosted steam energy production by leveraging water’s energy content rise under initial conditions, thus improving efficiency by reducing required water mass circulation. A corrigendum to this paper that addresses minor correction to the paper is also included in the Research Topic.

In “The role of product market competition and analyst attention in modulating the link between equity pledges and classification shifting”, Xue and Lu investigate the association between equity pledges and classification shifting earnings management in Chinese listed firms, spanning the period from 2016 to 2022. The study further explores the moderating influence of product market competition (PMC) and analyst attention on this relationship. Results of the study demonstrate a positive moderating effect of PMC on the relationship between equity pledges and classification shifting, with an interaction coefficient of 0.0165 (p < 0.01).

“Progress in green hydrogen adoption in the African context” is authored by Obanor et al. The study explores the influence of policy frameworks, technological innovations, and market forces in promoting green hydrogen adoption across Africa. The study concludes that to speed up the shift towards a sustainable hydrogen economy in Africa, strategic investments and collaborative efforts are essential. Beside these, by harnessing its renewable energy potential and establishing strong policy frameworks, Africa can not only fulfill its energy requirements but also support global initiatives to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainable development objectives.

Shanmugam and Sharmila present “An intelligent adaptive neuro-fuzzy based control for multiport DC-AC converter with differential power processing converter for hybrid renewable power generation systems”. The study shows that the proposed system demonstrates an efficiency of 99.45% and achieves stability in just 0.02 s. Compared to conventional algorithms, the approach adopted in the study shows superior performance across multiple metrics.

In “A critical review on enhancement and sustainability of energy systems: perspectives on thermo-economic and thermo-environmental analysis”, Oyedepo et al. critically review new techniques–known as thermo-economic and thermo-environmental analyses for the evaluation and optimization of energy conversion processes, from the perspectives of thermodynamics, economics, and the environment. The outcome of the study shows that (i) the sustainability of energy conversion systems can be enhanced with the use of exergy techniques assessment; (ii) by reducing energy losses, exergy efficiency initiatives can lessen their adverse effects on the environment; and (iii) the best methods for efficient use of energy resources, low energy production costs, and less environmental impact can be provided by hybrid energy systems.

The paper on “Advancing sustainable mobility in India with electric vehicles: market trends and machine learning insights” is authored by Devarasan et al. The authors present an in-depth analysis of India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) market dynamics from FY 2014 to February 2024, utilizing machine learning techniques to identify sales trends, regional disparities, and adoption drivers. The outcome of the study shows a consistent rise in EV sales in India from FY 2014 to 2024, driven by factors like environmental awareness, technological advancements in EV, and government incentives.

In summary, the collective knowledge and research on this Research Topic provide valuable insights and motivation for ongoing endeavours toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

Author contributions

SO: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. OA: Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review and editing. AW: Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review and editing. AP: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – review and editing. TS: Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declared that financial support was not received for this work and/or its publication.

Conflict of interest

The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Correction note

A correction has been made to this article. Details can be found at: 10.3389/fenrg.2026.1803877.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declared that generative AI was not used in the creation of this manuscript.

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Reference

Dirisu, J. O., Salawu, E. Y., Ekpe, I. C., Udoye, N. E., Falodun, O. E., Oyedepo, S. O., et al. (2024). Promoting the use of bioenergy in developing nations: a CDM route to sustainable development. Front. Energy Res. 11, 1184348. doi:10.3389/fenrg.2023.1184348

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