The city of Pecs in Hungary has developed an energy strategy to be implemented in the years to come which proposes structural changes in both the supply and demand sides. This paper offers a model based on the proposed system aimed at providing a basis for comparison for decision-makers. The model has been developed with the help of energy system analysis tool energyPRO, and covers the three basic sectors of heat, electricity and transport. It shows the energy system of Pecs in terms of hourly production and demand levels - and these values enable the model to analyse intermittent energy sources. The model is also validated - to ensure that it is satisfactory for the simulation of future energy systems. It analyses two scenarios - one where the city does not implement the changes proposed in the strategy, and one where it does. The paper compares the two scenarios based on sustainability, energy security and affordability. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.