30 years of energy and fuel poverty research: A retrospective analysis and future trends

Abstract

While the terms “energy poverty” and “fuel poverty” are developing rapidly, their relationship, evolution and trends remain unclear. Efforts to apply the concepts are constrained by the lack of a comprehensive review and the conceptual clarity of the energy–fuel poverty relationship. The article therefore aims to address this gap by synthesising the similarities and differences both within/between the terms as found in scientific literature of the past 30 years. The results draw on a bibliometric and network analysis of 670 articles in the Scopus database. Our analysis shows we are dealing with evolving concepts whose definition, boundaries and principles are still not consolidated. By providing a complete review of the area and comparing the two concepts, we help with the clarification and reciprocal integration of this emerging field for the purpose of informing research and policymakers, while also identifying the current knowledge gaps and discussing several research areas likely to be hotspots for future research, including the social aspects of energy transition, engineering and architectural advancement and the public policy landscape.