Advanced technological options for sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems upgrade towards climate neutrality

Scientific research development in energy, water and environmental systems is vital for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In this regard, the outcome of the 17th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems was reviewed and presented in this editorial. Examining recent scientific developments, thirteen research articles on this special issue are related to specific topics. The topic of industrial energy reduction potentials and alternative fuels were discussed in the articles 1) Electricity demand reduction through waste heat recovery in olefins plants based on a technology-agnostic approach, 2) Integration of a rSOC-system to industrial processes, 3) Spray combustion of fast-pyrolysis bio-oils under engine-like conditions, 4) Complex aspects of climate change impacts on the cultivation of perennial energy crops in the Czech Republic, while residential and small scale applications were presented in 5) Experimental and theoretical analysis of a micro-cogenerative solar ORC-based unit equipped with a variable speed sliding rotary vane expander, 6) Exergy-Optimum coupling of radiant panels with heat pumps for minimum CO2 emission responsibility and 7) State-of-the-art review of micro to small-scale wind energy harvesting technologies for building integration and 8) Dynamic simulation of a 4th generation district heating network with the presence of prosumers. Potentials of renewable energy increased penetration and measures and strategies for CO2 emissions reduction presented in 9) An evaluation of the synergy between the wave and wind energy along the west Iberian nearshore, 10) Energy efficiency improvement in multi-family houses in Kosovo, 11) Natural lighting performance of vernacular architecture, case study oldtown Pasa, Ecuador, 12) Diagnosis of the building stock using Energy Performance Certificates for urban energy planning in Mediterranean compact cities. Case of study: The city of València in Spain and 13) Carbon insetting as a measure to raise supply chain energy efficiency potentials: Opportunities and challenges.