Secure and sustainable transition of urban energy system:A literature review

WANG Lulu; TANG Baojun

Abstract：Building a reliable,economically feasible and green urban energy system has become a major strategic requirement for China.However,due to the constraints of technology,organization and macro-environment,it is difficult to achieve the above three goals in harmony,which is called the energy trilemma(ET).Cities are the center of social-economic activities,as well as the main body of energy consumption and carbon emissions.With the continuous advancement of economic development and urbanization,cities in China will face challenges such as rapid energy consumption growth,climate change adaptation,environmental governance and total energy consumption control.Therefore,it is of great significance to formulate appropriate strategies for urban energy system transition to solve urban energy problems in China.This study comprehensively investigates 378 journal articles regarding urban energy system transition and ET.In doing so,the principles of development and the shifts of research hotspots are quantitatively analysed from a space-time perspective.Based on the bibliometrics analysis,this paper summarizes:① The evaluation methods of energy systems from the perspective of ET;② The key driving factors and their influencing mechanisms of energy transition;③ The possible solutions to ET;④ The economic and environmental impacts of energy transition.Based on the literature review,this study provides research ideas for constructing an energy performance evaluation model suitable for cities and clarifying the specific strategies for urban energy system transition to the goal of"safety-economy-green"coordinated development.