Call for Papers: Accelerating the Energy Transition: Advances in Electrofuels

As the world grapples with climate change, the decarbonization of the transportation sector remains an immense challenge, especially for hard-to-abate applications in aviation, shipping, and long-haul trucking. Electrofuels, also known as e-fuels, offer a promising solution by using renewable electricity to produce carbon-neutral liquid fuels compatible with existing engines and infrastructure. Recent technological breakthroughs and declining costs of renewable energy have sparked considerable enthusiasm about the potential of electrofuels to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

This joint Special Issue, collaboratively presented by Energy & Fuels and Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (I&ECR), serves as a forum to consolidate knowledge, address research gaps, and catalyze innovation to support rapid translation of e-fuels from laboratory to markets.

Covered topics include, but are not limited to, the full production chain of e-fuels:

• Technological advances in electrolysis, CO₂ capture, and e-fuels synthesis
• Advances in production technologies
• E-fuels chemistry and characterization
• Techno-economic analyses (TEA) of e-fuels production pathways
• Life cycle assessments (LCA) of environmental performances
• Process design and process intensification for improved efficiency and scalability
• E-fuels applications, including those for chemical manufacturing and hard-to-abate transport sectors (aviation, shipping, trucking)
• Case studies of pilot and demonstration projects
• Roadmaps and scenarios for future adoption and industry growth globally or regionally
• Analysis of market dynamics and business models
• Policy and regulatory considerations for enabling deployment

The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2025.

Organizing Editors

Prof. Minghou Xu, Associate Editor, Energy & Fuels
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (Email)

Dr. Thomas Alan Kwan, Topic Editor, I&ECR
Sustainability Research Institute, Schneider Electric, United States (Email)

Prof. Agustin Valera Medina, Guest Editor
School of Engineering, Cardiff University, United Kingdom (Email)

Prof. Yuyang Li, Guest Editor
Institute of Aerospace Propulsion, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China (Email)

Submission Information

Accepted manuscripts will be published in physical issues after acceptance in the corresponding journal. Upon the publication of all accepted articles, the editorial of this Special Issue will be published in both journals.

Manuscripts should be submitted via the journals’ online submission system at Energy & Fuels or Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. All submitted manuscripts will be screened by the corresponding editorial office and peer-reviewed according to the usual standards and will be evaluated based on originality, quality, and relevance to this Special Issue.

The manuscript should be formatted according to the corresponding journal style, and according to the respective Author Guidelines for each journal:

• Author Guidelines: Energy & Fuels
• Author Guidelines: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

In the cover letter, please clearly state that the submission is for the Special Issue on Accelerating the Energy Transition: Advances in Electrofuels.

How to Submit

• Log in to the ACS Publishing Center.
• Select the “Journals” tab.
• Search for Energy & Fuels or Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.
• Click "Submit."
• Select your manuscript type, and, under "Special Issue Selection," choose “Accelerating the Energy Transition: Advances in Electrofuels."

Authors are required to provide the details (first and last names, institutions, and email addresses) of at least 6 potential reviewers, adhering to the journals' Author Guidelines for avoiding unnecessary delays.