Sustainability in the energy sector: A systematic literature review of energy transitions, technologies, and policy instruments

This systematic literature review synthesizes the prevailing scholarly discourse concerning sustainability within the energy sector, encompassing academic publications spanning from 2010 to 2025. Utilizing a PRISMA-based methodological framework, the study identifies and evaluates six critical themes integral to energy sustainability: the integration of renewable and nuclear energy, participatory design and social justice, economic and policy drivers, technological innovations, hydrogen energy and storage, and urban energy transitions. The analysis notably underscores the pivotal role of renewable technologies and hydrogen-based solutions, emphasizing their efficacy in addressing energy intermittency issues and their substantial contributions to global decarbonization efforts. Furthermore, this review systematically classifies a range of policy instruments, including regulatory, economic, informational, participatory, and innovation-driven mechanisms. It critically assesses these instruments with regard to their effectiveness, inherent strengths, limitations, and the complexities inherent in their implementation. The findings distinctly highlight the superior effectiveness of integrated economic and regulatory instruments in promoting the adoption of renewable energy technologies. Collectively, the review underscores the necessity of adopting context-sensitive, integrated strategies that holistically consider technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and socio-economic dynamics.