Strategic Directions of the ASCE Journal of Energy Engineering

As the new editor-in-chief of the ASCE Journal of Energy Engineering (JEE), I hereby express my appreciation of the success achieved by my predecessor (Prof. James L. Martin), the Associate Editors (Dr. John E. Edinger, Dr. Rajendra Kurup, Dr. Marc Levitan, Dr. Samir F. Moujaes, Dr. Karim S. Rebeiz, and Dr. Chung-Li Cheng) in raising the quality and increasing the circulation of the Journal. I must also applaud the indispensable role of ASCE’s editorial staff, particularly, Ms. Jackie Perry and Ms. Johanna Reinhart in raising the profile and configuration of the Journal. Today, the Journal is recognized as a key disseminator of knowledge on advances in energy technology and associated systems to civil engineers and other professionals worldwide.

With humility, I would like to introduce myself to readers who are not engaged in my research specialty areas. I have been advised to do this by ASCE editorial staff. My modest background is in environmental and material aspects of energy generation and use, which are nested in the focus areas of the multidisciplinary energy and environmental research institute of which I serve as the director. My employers have been the federal government (as IPA), the private sector, and academe. To my collaborators, colleagues, and students, I express my gratitude for various opportunities and logistical help that they have provided to me to serve on 27 editorial boards of refereed journals, including the role of guest editor of five ASCE journals. Other than my formal education, which includes a doctoral minor in mineral resources, my involvement in energy policy and technology started during my two terms as the Chair of the Engineering Committee of the Science Advisory Board of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Additional information on my professional background and interests can be found at the web address http://www.coe.uncc.edu/∼hiinyang/Resume.pdf

Energy has become one of the critical issues of human and infrastructure development. It is the engine of modern economies. It impacts upon all fields of human endeavor, and its role as a determinant of the quality of life of civil society is increasing in all parts of the world. The intersection of both policy and technical issues in energy with those of other socioeconomic sectors such as the environment, industrial development, human health systems, transportation, commerce, mining, and communications implies that multidisciplinary approaches need to be adopted in addressing issues in energy systems. These issues are broad and evolving, with spatial dimensions that traverse many countries. A significant perturbation of energy generation capacity, transmission infrastructure, or end-uses can distort energy systems to the detriment of dependent socioeconomic systems. Notwithstanding the possibility of reductions in per capita energy use in some regions, an increase in population, intensification of industrial activities, and changes in lifestyles in other regions can negate gains that would accrue on a global basis. This observation warrants the development of innovative technologies, formulation of creative policies, and provision of incentives to people to enable the implementation of cost-effective and sustainable energy systems.

The ASCE Journal of Energy Engineering postures to expand the scope and the editorial team of the Journal. We will also work to increase both the circulation of the Journal and the number of issues published per year in response to the rapidly expanding field of energy systems. In addition to the transition from small- to full-sized paper publication format that was made with the April 2006 issue, the restructured editorial board and description of the expanded scope will be published in the spring 2007 issue or the following issue.

The editorial team of the Journal will comprise the editor-in-chief, eight section editors, and about 20 editorial board members. Each section editor will deal with manuscripts that fall within one of the following new categories of issues covered by the Journal:

In the scope presented above, renewable energy systems are not specifically mentioned by type. Nevertheless, manuscripts on all types of renewable and/or other advanced energy systems are welcome. Among them are clean coal technologies, solar energy systems, wind power systems, hydrogen and fuel cell systems, hydropower systems, nuclear energy systems, biomass energy systems, geothermal energy systems, ocean wave energy systems, natural gas, and other enhanced hydrocarbon technologies.

From time to time, special issues of the Journal will be released on topical issues. Within the next year, three special issues that are currently in press with ASCE will be published. One of the special issues is guest-edited by Dr. Chung-Li Tseng. I co-edited the other two issues with Dr. Samuel Frimpong, Dr. Ronald Neufield, and Dr. Steve Piet. Subsequently, special issues will be deemphasized to enable regular papers to be published within a reasonably short time after full acceptance.

Finally, I thank all subscribers, authors, the editorial team, and ASCE, in anticipation of their continued service and support of the Journal of Energy Engineering.