Introduction

The Introduction sets the stage for the intertwined relationship between energy and society, highlighting the relevance of energy transition processes in the development of modern societies. An overview of key contributions on the finiteness of fossil fuels, on the critique of the energy and economy nexus, and on the environmentalist perspectives, are presented with the aim of providing a critical groundwork. As a result, issues of inequalities and socio-spatial complexities of energy systems gain relevance towards the identification of energy as a (eco)welfare service that lies at the crossroad between social and environmental implications.