Purpose of Review

This paper reviews the historical and applied literature on energy transitions from an integrated system-level framework. They synthesize the literature using a simple energy-service system framework to highlight the main problems and possible pathways for a transition to a decarbonized energy system.

Recent Findings

Recent literature suggests that the combination of demand-pull and technology-push policy instruments will be necessary to tip markets in favor of low-carbon energy alternatives. These studies illustrate that complex feedback mechanisms between the different components of an energy system, such as lock-in and push-back, complicate prescriptive policy design.