Challenges and Barriers for the Transition to Sustainable Energy

This chapter analyzes the challenges and barriers of the sustainable energy transition, and the solutions and strategies to overcome them. The sustainable energy transition aims to achieve multiple benefits for the environment, society, and economy, but also faces various technical, economic, social, and political factors that can hinder or delay it. The chapter focuses on the economic and technical challenges, such as the initial costs and investment, the impacts on the traditional energy sectors, the storage and transmission issues, and the technological limitations of renewable energy sources and technologies. The chapter discusses the possible solutions and strategies, such as adopting a life-cycle perspective, mobilizing financing, implementing a just transition, developing and deploying technologies and solutions, and conducting research and development activities. The chapter uses a multidisciplinary and multi-level approach that considers the different aspects and interactions of the energy system, and a comparative and global perspective that examines the different contexts and experiences of the sustainable energy transition. The chapter concludes by summarizing the findings and implications, and by highlighting the opportunities and potential for innovation and collaboration.