Over the years, it has become clearer and clearer: the energy transition is taking shape. Research on the energy transition also evolves. In the TPM Energy Transition Lab, we aim to take a risky interdisciplinary approach to further our knowledge on ‘what works’ and ‘what doesn’t’, when it comes to the coming decades in the energy transition. Simulating the complexity of the energy transition may help to unravel many of the challenges and trade-offs. I sketch how simulating the complexity helps to explore possible energy policy effects.