Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Focus of analysis
- Cost-optimized structural developments of greenhouse gas neutral national energy systems
- Future year-specific expansion paths of technologies as well as market share and technology trends
- Technology-specific operation management strategies based on the interaction of sector-coupled technologies
- Impact and meaningfulness of sector-coupling technologies such as electric vehicles, electrolysers, or electric heat pumps in the overall system context
Background of model application
In order to achieve the set climate protection goals, the German government has decided to fundamentally restructure the energy system. A fundamental transformation of the current energy system is thus inevitable. How and with which effects this restructuring takes place is the subject of the analyses with the energy system model REMod:
How can a cost-optimal transformation of a national energy system - taking into account all energy sources and consumer sectors - be achieved in line with the declared climate goals and the guarantee of a secure energy supply? Due to the customizable execution of scenario-based simulations, the REMod model is ideally suited to answer specific questions regarding the transformation of national energy systems. In repeated cooperation with federal and state ministries, international research institutions and especially through close exchange with industrial customers, the applicability as a strategic consulting tool has been proven and the model has been continuously developed.
Characteristics of the model
The functionality of the REMod model is based on a (non-linear) cost optimization of national energy supply systems whose energy-related CO2-emissions do not exceed a given target value and/or target path. The optimization objective is to scale all generators, storage facilities, converters, and loads at minimum cost such that the overall system energy balance is met at every hour. Each technology property can be mapped in any level of detail. For example, different charging strategies for battery-electric vehicles or the interaction of thermal storage and different heating systems can be mapped realistically. Thus, in addition to ecological sustainability and economic efficiency, the model also takes into account security of supply through a high level of technical detail as well as temporal resolution that reconciles energy demand and supply at every hour throughout the year. Similarly, a multi-node approach allows different regions in the observation area to be mapped and their interaction with each other to be investigated, enabling conclusions to be drawn about infrastructure measures.