Aims & Scope
Journal of Energy Conservation (JEC) publishes research advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and sustainable energy systems through engineering innovation, computational modeling, and policy analysis.
Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy Systems
Energy Storage Technologies
Smart Grid Integration
Building Energy Performance
Energy Policy & Economics
We do NOT consider: Pure theoretical physics without applied energy applications, medical energy metabolism, biological energy pathways unrelated to biofuels, or general environmental science without direct energy conservation focus.
Core Research Domains
JEC prioritizes original research in four core domains that directly advance energy conservation through technological innovation, system optimization, and evidence-based policy development. Submissions must demonstrate measurable energy savings, efficiency improvements, or renewable energy integration outcomes.
Renewable Energy Technologies
- Solar photovoltaic systems: design, optimization, and performance analysis
- Wind energy: turbine technology, site assessment, and grid integration
- Geothermal energy systems for heating, cooling, and power generation
- Biomass and biofuel production: conversion technologies and sustainability
- Hydropower systems: small-scale and pumped storage applications
- Hybrid renewable energy systems and microgrid architectures
Typical Fit Example:
Machine learning optimization of solar panel orientation in urban environments achieving 18% efficiency gains through real-time weather prediction and automated tracking systems.
Energy Storage & Distribution
- Battery technologies: lithium-ion, solid-state, flow batteries, and beyond
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for battery characterization
- Thermal energy storage systems for industrial and residential applications
- Hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell technologies
- Smart grid infrastructure: demand response and load management
- Energy distribution optimization and transmission loss reduction
Typical Fit Example:
Novel solid-state battery architecture demonstrating 40% capacity improvement over conventional lithium-ion systems with validated cycle life testing under industrial operating conditions.
Building Energy Systems
- HVAC system optimization and control strategies
- Building envelope design: insulation, windows, and passive solar
- Zero energy buildings and net-zero design methodologies
- Energy-efficient lighting systems and daylighting integration
- Building energy modeling, simulation, and performance verification
- Retrofit strategies for existing building stock energy upgrades
Typical Fit Example:
Predictive HVAC control algorithm using occupancy sensors and weather forecasting reducing commercial building energy consumption by 32% while maintaining thermal comfort standards.
Industrial Energy Efficiency
- Process optimization for energy-intensive manufacturing
- Waste heat recovery and cogeneration systems
- Energy auditing methodologies and implementation frameworks
- Industrial demand management and peak load reduction
- Energy-efficient motors, drives, and compressed air systems
- Data center energy optimization and cooling strategies
Typical Fit Example:
Waste heat recovery system integrated into steel manufacturing process achieving 25% reduction in natural gas consumption with 18-month payback period validated through industrial pilot deployment.
Secondary Focus Areas
JEC welcomes interdisciplinary research that bridges energy conservation with computational methods, transportation systems, and policy frameworks. These submissions should demonstrate clear connections to energy efficiency outcomes.
Computational & AI Methods
- Machine learning for energy demand forecasting
- Neural networks for building energy prediction
- Optimization algorithms for energy system design
- Digital twins for energy infrastructure management
- Energy-efficient computing and algorithm design
- Data analytics for energy consumption patterns
Transportation Energy Systems
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure optimization
- Vehicle-to-grid integration and energy management
- Transportation energy efficiency standards and testing
- Fleet electrification strategies and economics
- Alternative fuel vehicles: hydrogen and biofuels
- Transportation demand management for energy reduction
Energy Policy & Economics
- Energy efficiency policy evaluation and impact assessment
- Minimum energy performance standards development
- Energy subsidy analysis and market mechanisms
- Carbon pricing and emissions reduction strategies
- Energy security and supply diversification
- Renewable energy community models and governance
Cross-Cutting Technologies
- Carbon capture, utilization, and storage systems
- Integrated energy systems and sector coupling
- Energy-water nexus optimization
- Agricultural energy efficiency and precision farming
- Circular economy approaches to energy materials
- Life cycle assessment of energy technologies
Out of Scope
Fundamental Physics Without Applied Energy Context
Pure theoretical physics, quantum mechanics, or thermodynamics research without demonstrated application to energy conservation technologies or systems. Rationale: JEC focuses on applied energy research with measurable efficiency or conservation outcomes.
Biological Energy Metabolism
Human or animal metabolic energy pathways, cellular respiration, or biochemical energy processes unless directly related to biofuel production or biomass energy conversion. Rationale: Biological energy metabolism belongs in life sciences journals.
General Environmental Science
Broad environmental studies, ecosystem analysis, or pollution research without specific focus on energy conservation or renewable energy systems. Rationale: Environmental impacts must be directly linked to energy technology performance or policy outcomes.
Petroleum Exploration & Extraction
Fossil fuel discovery, drilling technologies, or extraction optimization without focus on efficiency improvements or transition pathways to renewable alternatives. Rationale: JEC prioritizes conservation and renewable energy over fossil fuel production expansion.
Pure Bibliometric Studies
Bibliometric analysis, citation mapping, or research trend reviews without substantive technical content or policy recommendations. Rationale: Meta-research should be combined with original technical contributions or actionable insights.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Priority 1: Fast-Track Review
Expedited 21-day first decision
Original Research Articles
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Methods & Protocols
Technology Validation Studies
Priority 2: Standard Review
Standard 35-day first decision
Short Communications
Technical Notes
Data Descriptors
Policy Analysis Papers
Perspectives & Commentaries
Rarely Considered
Case-by-case editorial evaluation
Single Case Studies
Opinion Pieces
Letters to Editor
Note: Single case studies must demonstrate exceptional novelty or transferability. Opinion pieces require established expertise and data-driven argumentation. Contact editors before submission.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- Energy system studies: ISO 50001 energy management standards
- Building performance: ASHRAE measurement protocols
- Renewable energy: IEC testing and certification standards
- Life cycle assessment: ISO 14040/14044 frameworks
- Economic analysis: transparent cost assumptions and sensitivity analysis
- Computational models: code availability and reproducibility requirements
Data & Ethics Policies
- Data availability: public repositories or supplementary materials required
- Energy consumption data: anonymization protocols for building-level data
- Software code: GitHub or equivalent repository for computational studies
- Conflicts of interest: disclosure of industry funding or partnerships
- Ethics approval: required for human subjects research (occupant behavior studies)
- Environmental impact: disclosure of research carbon footprint for field studies
Preprint & Prior Publication
- Preprints encouraged: arXiv, engrXiv, or institutional repositories
- Conference papers: substantial expansion required (50% new content minimum)
- Thesis chapters: reformatted as standalone articles with co-author approval
- Duplicate submission: prohibited across all journals during review
- Self-plagiarism: proper citation of authors' prior work required
Peer Review Process
- Single-blind peer review as standard practice
- Minimum two independent reviewers per submission
- Technical expert review for specialized energy technologies
- Statistical review for complex data analysis or modeling studies
- Transparent peer review reports published with accepted articles (optional)
