Current debates, and trends in energy, both within Portugal and the EU highlight some significant energy systems challenges. The first of these is the need to reverse the energy consumption and emissions trends Portugal and other nations have seen over the past 15 years. Meeting greenhouse gas emissions targets is a challenge that calls for new ideas, tools, technologies, and policies along with highly educated people to develop and implement them.

Devising strategies to cost-effectively meet these challenges requires new energy systems methodologies that capture the dynamics and drivers of energy demand-including consumer behavior, energy resources (especially renewable resources), and the networks that connect the two.

With these challenges in mind, a primary objective of the Sustainable Energy Systems focus area is to engage industry and government in a manner such that the research and educational programs develop standard approaches, methods, and policies for improving the longterm performance of the nation's energy sector while addressing climate change, and energy security concerns.

The Sustainable Energy Systems focus area has also developed an Industrial Affiliates program to support the educational and research programs and enhance relationships between higher education and industry.