International Journal of Sustainable Energy

Advancing Sustainable Heating and Cooling Through Geothermal District Energy Systems

International Journal of Sustainable Energy is pleased to welcome you to submit your research to the Article Collection "Advancing Sustainable Heating and Cooling Through Geothermal District Energy Systems".

The global urgency to decarbonise urban energy systems has placed district heating and cooling networks (DHNs) at the centre of the transition toward low-carbon cities. Among the renewable energy sources capable of powering these networks at scale, geothermal energy stands out for its reliability, minimal environmental footprint, and 24/7 availability advantages that intermittent sources such as solar and wind cannot match. Despite growing research activity, with annual publications in this field peaking in 2021–2025, significant gaps remain. These include the absence of comprehensive lifecycle assessments, limited empirical data on systems deployed in regions with low geothermal potential, insufficient attention to long-term sustainability under varying climate conditions, and an underdeveloped understanding of how geothermal DHNs can be integrated with hybrid renewable energy systems. Regulatory fragmentation across jurisdictions and social acceptance challenges further constrain large-scale deployment.

This Article Collection aims to synthesise emerging knowledge, consolidate best practices, and stimulate innovative research that accelerates the adoption of geothermal DHNs as a cornerstone of sustainable urban heating and cooling infrastructure.

We invite original research articles, review papers, and case studies addressing but not limited to the following themes:

• Geological resource assessment and novel exploration methodologies for geothermal DHN feasibility in diverse urban and peri-urban settings.
• Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and next-generation heat extraction technologies for district-scale applications.
• Hybrid DHN systems integrating geothermal energy with solar thermal, biomass, waste heat recovery, and energy storage solutions.
• Smart grid integration, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven optimisation of geothermal DHN operations.
• Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems including seasonal, underground, and phase-change approaches coupled with geothermal networks.
• Comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) and environmental impact evaluation of geothermal DHN systems across construction, operation, and decommissioning phases.
• Techno-economic modelling, cost–benefit analysis, and long-term financial viability of geothermal DHN projects.
• Policy, regulatory frameworks, and governance models enabling or impeding geothermal DHN deployment across different national and regional contexts.
• Social acceptance, community engagement, and equity considerations in geothermal DHN planning and implementation.
• Case studies of operational geothermal DHNs, including lessons learned, performance metrics, and scalability assessments.
• Geothermal DHN performance in low-potential regions and the feasibility of unconventional resources such as abandoned wells and mine water energy.

We particularly encourage submissions that bridge technical innovation with policy and social dimensions, and that bring empirical data from underrepresented geographies into the scholarly record.

Meet the Guest Advisor

Dr. Mukhtar A. Kassem is a highly qualified and accomplished professional in the field of construction project management. He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at the National University of Malaysia (UKM), where his research focused on the relationship between risk factors and construction project success in the oil and gas sector in Yemen. He also earned a Master’s (M.Sc.) in Project Management from Open University Malaysia (OUM) and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Civil Engineering from Babylon University, Iraq. Dr. Kassem is a PMP-certified Project Management Professional and a Chartered Engineer (CEng), reflecting his advanced expertise and commitment to professional standards in the construction industry. With over 15 years of experience in supervision, implementation, and management of construction projects in oil and gas companies in Yemen, he possesses deep insight into the complexities, challenges, and operational dynamics of large-scale construction projects. His extensive experience has been complemented by a strong academic record, including the publication of numerous scientific papers in high-impact journals in the field of construction project management.

The Guest Advisors declare no conflict of interest regarding this work.