Energy Policy Integration for Sector Coupling: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Energy policy integration aims at integrating the design and implementation of policies in line with EU decarbonizing goals across the energy system while considering diverging sectoral policy subdomains. Successful sector coupling enables linking variable renewable energy sources with end-use sectors, enabling higher efficiency, lower consumer costs, and the realization of climate targets. In this review paper, we investigate how energy policy integration is applied in the context of sector coupling, with a focus on the heating sector. We scoped in total 84 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science for 2018–2024 with a sample of 25 articles for the final analysis. The findings reveal that the combined approaches to policy integration and sector coupling are diverse, indicating the novelty of the concept and its application. Further research could analyze the success of current sector coupling policies and design novel integrated instruments to realize cross-sectoral synergies.