Energy Grid Modelling

The focus of cross-sectoral power grid modeling is the technical and economic optimization of the German energy system at high spatial and temporal resolution, taking into account various flexibility options.

As part of the completed research projects open_eGo and eGon, open data models and tools for cross-grid simulation and optimization of the German power system were developed together with consortium partners, taking into account the gas, heat, and mobility sectors. This will investigate the impact of the flexibilities resulting from the various sectors, e.g., flexible charging of electric vehicles, heat storage, or electrolysis, as well as the impact of other electrical flexibilities such as demand-side management or overhead line monitoring on grid and storage expansion needs.

All data models are published according to open data guidelines on the Open Energy Platform, which was developed in cooperation with the EUF. The tools are available under open source licenses on Github and are being further developed collaboratively.

Among other things, these tools were further developed as part of the powerD research project and applied to the creation of a hydrogen potential atlas in Germany. In the OptIES Dörpum project, a project funded by the EKSH to scientifically support the IES Dörpum practical project, the models and tools served as a basis for investigating the effects of self-sufficiency efforts in the overall systemic context.

The aim of the currently ongoing reGon research project is to ensure and shape the practical transfer of the models and tools developed over many years of research. To this end, they will be further developed and significantly improved for more user-friendly application, and their practical applicability will be demonstrated using five use cases.

Clara Büttner and Katharina Esterl are available as contact persons for the research focus on cross-sectoral power grid modeling.