A critical review on the multidimensional complexity of sustainable energy development

Energy issues occupy a very important place in the process of sustainable development, so policymakers should actively promote the development of sustainable energy development (SED) and be alert to the far-reaching implications that research and practice in this field may have on reality. As an interdisciplinary science, SED has obvious multiple attributes, which means that energy activities under the sustainable development transition are complex and difficult. Hence, this study attempts to present its multidimensionality from different perspectives to provide a clear and guiding intellectual framework for corresponding practical actions. To this end, we critically review the research in this field based on the selected relevant literatures. We find that the SED measurement system has been developed primarily on the basis of the economic, social and environmental dimensions, with a progressively stronger emphasis on the technological and institutional dimensions. Meanwhile, measuring the performances in terms of energy security, energy equity, energy sustainability and human well-being for particular objects is the main purpose of applying various SED indicator sets. The multidimensionality of SED is also manifested as the fact that its realization pathways can be divided into four interrelated dimensions: traditional fossil energy, alternative energy, pollution prevention and control, and energy mix. In addition, we believe that many methodologies in operations research have great potential to address the challenges posed by the multidimensional complexity of SED, including multi-criteria decision making, multi-objective optimization, data envelopment analysis, etc. To overcome the confusion and chaos caused by multidimensionality, future research also needs to focus on portraying the variability of SED in specific contexts so as to generate targeted and effective development strategies.