Introduction

The tools and capabilities offered by ETSAP have been shaped by the evolving challenges related to the energy systems, from the oil crisis of the 70s, the air pollution concern of the 80s to the climate challenge from the 90s and now, the more holistic perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The book collates together 15 case studies at global, regional (eg. Europe, Nordic countries), national (eg. Algeria, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Ukraine) and local scales (eg. Swedish municipalities), examining the co-benefits and trade-offs across SDGs associated directly or indirectly with the changes in the energy systems. The case studies discuss the needed adaptation of energy systems models to inform SDGs, including both endogenous improvements and novel applications of the models. They illustrate how energy systems models are used to assess the role of renewable energy and energy security in the implementation of the energy transition, considering the challenges of variable sources of energy, materials scarcity, and dependence on international energy markets, amongst others. The book also demonstrates how energy systems models are used to interact with policymakers in national and municipal debates. The book is the third of a series already edited by IEA-ETSAP. Its responds to the requirement of combining global ambitions in a more holistic and coherent way to pave the way for concrete and urgent steps to a sustainable future.