The European New Green Deal requires a continuous reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by effectively decarbonising the energy system. To reach the climate goals, not just the electricity but also the heat and mobility sector have to be decarbonised, which can only be achieved by coupling different energy sectors. Sustainable energy systems based on renewable energies are becoming increasingly decentralized with smaller scale generation units. Furthermore, they are characterised by volatile generation, which requires further flexibility in energy conversion as well as on transmission and distribution grid level. This project provides planning tools and perspectives on how to integrate multiple energy sectors into one interdependent and efficient energy system.
The general objective of the project was the development of an integrated planning framework for multi-energy systems on a European scale. The objective of the planning framework considers the European climate targets while optimizing the expansion of energy infrastructure and energy generation capacities to find solutions for an efficient and reliable interdependent energy system in 2050. The developed models consider the coupling of different energy sectors (electricity, heat, mobility and gas) and calculate cost-optimal energy infrastructure for future energy scenarios. To handle the mathematical complexity of the integrated energy system planning approach, new solution methods were required. This was achieved by solving both mathematical and computational challenges in the field of energy system modelling. Thereby, novel mathematical formulations of energy system modelling problems were proposed. The project provides a new energy system planning tool for different stakeholders, which intends to be used as a decision support to enable a beneficial development of the European energy system.
To show the adequacy of the modelling framework, two case studies were performed. One case study focused on Germany and investigated the central level of the European energy system. The second case study focused on a Turkish distribution grid and exemplarily analysed the decentral perspective. In both case studies, data was derived from a bottom-up modelling approach mainly relying on open data.
The first case study, aimed at the planning of the Central Energy System, considering the electricity, gas, heat and mobility sector. In an integrated approach, the expansion of generation capacity was combined with the expansion of the electrical transmission grid. The target of this investigation was the identification of a cost efficient energy system, which is compliant with European climate goals. The case study provided the allocation and installed capacity of multi-energy generation capacities as well as the required expansion and reinforcement measures of the electrical transmission grid.
The second case study focused on the modelling of the operation of generation and load technologies in a distribution grid area. Based on the allocation of these technologies, an operational planning of the technologies and the impact assessment on the electrical distribution grid was performed. To minimize resulting system costs on the decentral level, various market coordination mechanisms were taken into account and analyzed. The required expansion and reinforcement measures for ensuring system security were identified by a distribution network expansion planning.
