REMod – National Energy System Model with Focus on Intersectoral System Development

Analytical Focus

Cost-optimized structural transformation of national energy systems towards greenhouse gas neutrality
Future year specific expansion paths of technologies as well as market share and technology trends
Technology-specific operational management strategies based on the interaction of sector-coupling technologies
Impact and system integration of sector-coupling technologies such as electric vehicles, electrolyzers, or electric heat pumps

Background of Model Application

To achieve the set climate protection goals, the European Commission and the German government have decided to fundamentally restructure the European and German energy system. The energy system model analyzes this transformation and its effects:

How can a cost-optimal transformation of a national or transnational energy system be achieved, considering all energy sources and consumer sectors, while meeting the declared climate targets and ensuring of a secure energy supply? The REMod model is ideally suited to answering specific questions on the transformation of national or transnational energy systems due to its adaptable scenario analysis capabilities. Through repeated collaboration with federal and state ministries, international research institutions and especially through close exchange with industrial clients, the model has been continuously developed and has been proven to be an effective strategic consulting tool.

Characteristics of the Model

The REMod model is based on a simulation-based cost optimization of (trans-)national energy supply systems whose CO₂-emissions do not exceed a given budget and/or given annual reduction targets. The optimization objective is to scale all generators, storages, converters, and loads at minimum cost in such a way that the energy balance of the entire system is met at every hour. Each technology characteristic can be mapped in any level of detail. For example, different charging strategies for battery electric vehicles or the interaction of thermal storage with different heating systems can be realistically represented. In addition to ecological sustainability and economic efficiency, the model also considers security of supply through a high level of technical detail and temporal resolution. By incorporating real weather data, the influence of extreme weather years on the energy system is also taken into account. Similarly, a multi-node approach allows different regions (e.g., federal states) in the observation area to be mapped and their interactions to be studied, so that conclusions can be drawn about infrastructure measures. REMod is currently being further developed to map the entire European energy system. In addition to Germany, analyses of the transformation of the respective energy system have already been carried out for several other European countries.

The following Characteristics Describe the REMod Model

Technical focus: description of the interaction of the sectors energy, industry, buildings and transport sector on the transformation path until 2045 or 2050
Aim: determination of the cost-optimal transformation of the German energy system for a given reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Type of energy system model: technical bottom-up energy system model with simulation-based optimization of expansion planning coupled with an hourly simulation of the operation
Geographical coverage: transnational (Europe), national (e.g., Germany) and regional (e.g., federal states states) possible
Temporal resolution: annual investments and hourly operation from today to 2045 or 2050
All sectors: demand, generation, storage, energy conversion, demand-side management, and infrastructure
Framework: achieving a specified reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (budget and/or annual) and meeting energy demand on an hourly basis
Dealing with uncertainty: sensitivity and scenario analysis
Programming language: Julia / Python, Optimization algorithm: Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES)

Clients

Energy service providers
Industry
Political decision makers
Public institutions

References

Highlights

Sterchele, P. et al. (2020) Studie: Wege zu einem klimaneutralen Energiesystem – Die deutsche Energiewende im Kontext gesellschaftlicher Verhaltensweisen. Freiburg: Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE. Available at: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/de/veroeffentlichungen/studien/wege-zu-einem-klimaneutralen-energiesystem.html.
Brandes, J. et al. (2021) Wege zu einem klimaneutralen Energiesystem: Die deutsche Energiewende im Kontext gesellschaftlicher Verhaltensweisen. Update November 2021: Klimaneutralität 2045. Freiburg: Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE. Available at: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/de/veroeffentlichungen/studien/wege-zu-einem-klimaneutralen-energiesystem.html.
Luderer, G., Kost, C. and Sörgel, D. (eds) (2021) Deutschland auf dem Weg zur Klimaneutralität 2045 - Szenarien und Pfade im Modellvergleich (Ariadne-Report). Potsdam: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (Ariadne-Report). Available at: https://doi.org/10.48485/PIK.2021.006.

Studies

acatech, Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina, and Union der deutschen Akademien der Wissenschaften e. V. (eds) (2023) Wie wird Deutschland klimaneutral? Handlungsoptionen für Technologieumbau, Verbrauchsreduktion und Kohlenstoffmanagement. acatech - Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften (Schriftenreihe zur wissenschaftsbasierten Politikberatung). Available at: https://doi.org/10.48669/ESYS_2023-2.
Ausfelder, F. et al. (2017) Sektorkopplung - Untersuchungen und Überlegungen zur Entwicklung eines integrierten Energiesystems. Available at: https://energiesysteme-zukunft.de/publikationen/analyse/sektorkopplung.
Becker Büttner Held (BBH) et al. (2018) Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen für ein integriertes Energiekonzept 2050 und die Einbindung von EE-Kraftstoffen. Available at: https://usercontent.one/wp/www.ikem.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2019_Studie_Rechtliche-Rahmenbedingungen-fuer-ein-integriertes-Energiekonzept_IEK2050.pdf?media=1667839188.
Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften, Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina, and Union der Deutschen Akademien der Wissenschaften (2017) Sektorkopplung - Optionen für die nächste Phase der Energiewende. Available at: https://www.acatech.de/publikation/sektorkopplung-optionen-fuer-die-naechste-phase-der-energiewende/.
Erlach, B. et al. (2018) Optimierungsmodell REMod-D. Materialien zur Analyse ‘Sektorkopplung’ - Untersuchungen und Überlegungen zur Entwicklung eines integrierten Energiesystems. München (Schriftenreihe Energiesysteme der Zukunft). Available at: https://energiesysteme-zukunft.de/publikationen/materialien/optimierungsmodell-remod-d/.
Henning, H.-M. and Palzer, A. (2012) 100 % erneuerbare Energien für Strom und Wärme in Deutschland. Freiburg: Fraunhofer ISE. Available at: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/de/documents/publications/studies/studie-100-erneuerbare-energien-fuer-strom-und-waerme-in-deutschland.pdf.
Henning, H.-M. and Palzer, A. (2013) Energiesystem Deutschland 2050. Sektor-und Energieträgerübergreifende, modellbasierte, ganzheitliche Untersuchung zur langfristigen Reduktion energiebedingter CO2-Emissionen durch Energieeffizienz und den Einsatz Erneuerbarer Energien. Freiburg: Fraunhofer ISE. Available at: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/de/documents/publications/studies/Fraunhofer-ISE_Energiesystem-Deutschland-2050.pdf.
Henning, H.M. and Palzer, A. (2015) What will the energy transformation cost? Pathways for Transforming the German Energy System by 2050. Freiburg: Fraunhofer ISE. Available at: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/publications/studies/what-will-the-energy-transformation-cost.html.
Ragwitz, M. et al. (2023) Szenarien für ein klimaneutrales Deutschland. Technologieumbau, Verbrauchsreduktion und Kohlenstoffmanagement. (Schriftenreihe Energiesysteme der Zukunft). Available at: https://doi.org/10.48669/ESYS_2023-3.

Dissertations

Palzer, A. (2016) Sektorübergreifende Modellierung und Optimierung eines zukünftigen deutschen Energiesystems unter Berücksichtigung von Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen im Gebäudesektor. Stuttgart: Fraunhofer Verlag. Available at: https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-fhg-281042.
Sterchele, P. (2019) Analysis of Technology Options to Balance Power Generation from Variable Renewable Energy Case Study for the German Energy System with the Sector Coupling Model REMod. Düren: Shaker Verlag GmbH. Available at: https://publica.fraunhofer.de/entities/publication/85d23ac1-ede7-490a-aa4f-9f240a891b2f/details.

Journal papers and conference contributions

Bürger, V. et al. (2019) ‘German Energiewende—different visions for a (nearly) climate neutral building sector in 2050’, Energy Efficiency, 12(1), pp. 73–87. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-018-9660-6.
Henning, H.-M. and Palzer, A. (2014) ‘A comprehensive model for the German electricity and heat sector in a future energy system with a dominant contribution from renewable energy technologies—Part I: Methodology’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 30, pp. 1003–1018. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.09.012.
Jürgens, P. et al. (2023) ‘Impact of the French nuclear strategy on the cost optimal transformation paths of the energy system and demand sectors’, IAMC annual meeting. Available at: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30130.99524.
Kost, C. et al. (2019) ‘Coal phase out, energy efficiency, and electricity imports: Key elements to realize the energy transformation’, Applied Physics Reviews, 6(1), p. 011308. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5055269.
Kost, C. et al. (2021) ‘Modeling of Persistence, Non-Acceptance and Sufficiency in Long-Term Energy Scenarios for Germany’, Energies, 14(15), p. 4484. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14154484.
Palzer, A. and Henning, H.-M. (2014a) ‘A comprehensive model for the German electricity and heat sector in a future energy system with a dominant contribution from renewable energy technologies – Part II: Results’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 30, pp. 1019–1034. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.11.032.
Palzer, A. and Henning, H.-M. (2014b) ‘A Future German Energy System with a Dominating Contribution from Renewable Energies: A Holistic Model Based on Hourly Simulation’, Energy Technology, 2(1), pp. 13–28. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.201300083.
Sterchele, P. et al. (2020) ‘Assessment of flexible electric vehicle charging in a sector coupling energy system model – Modelling approach and case study’, Applied Energy, 258, p. 114101. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114101.
Sterchele, P., Palzer, A. and Henning, H.-M. (2018) ‘Electrify Everything?: Exploring the Role of the Electric Sector in a Nearly CO₂-Neutral National Energy System’, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, 16(4), pp. 24–33. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/MPE.2018.2824100.

National Energy System Model with Focus on Intersectoral System Development

Paths to a Climate-Neutral Energy System