Modelling of large power systems

12. May 2020

Solution provider

Ea’s scope of work comprises analyses of energy systems from a technical, economic and environmental approach, as well as analyses of energy and climate policy measures. Our analyses focus on new production technologies as well as savings and adaption of the energy consumption to a more intelligent energy system.

Want to see this solution first hand?

Add the case to your visit request and let us know that you are interested in visiting Denmark

We use the Balmorel model to support various analyses of energy systems with emphasis on the electricity and the combined heat and power sectors.

Ea has worked with the Balmorel model in numerous projects in 18 European countries, 14 African countries, China, Mexico, Indonesia and Vietnam, and has also used it for regional analyses, e.g. of district heating systems in the Greater Copenhagen area. We bring expert qualifications within developing, implementing, and using the Balmorel model, which enables us to assist you in:

implementing and integrating the Balmorel model as an energy planning tool
coordinating and performing data collection
creating customized model versions for the given country or region
making scenarios that outline relevant future paths
creating automatized tools for result presentations, e.g. geographic visualizations
developing new functionalities when needed
facilitating and conducting model training and workshops
combining Balmorel with other models

Challenge

Being able to analyse large energy systems.

Solution

Using the Balmorel model, in which each generator/plant is represented with capacity (MW), fuel, efficiency and costs (operating costs and start/stop costs).

Limitations of resources (e.g. biomass) and different geographical conditions (for wind and sunlight especially) can be taken into account. The model makes decisions about investments while fulfilling requirements about CO2, renewable energy, firm capacity and special policies or goals.

The model is designed to work with multiple scenarios, e.g. with more or less renewable energy or with variations of the parameters for electricity demand, fuel prices, CO2 prices etc.

Efficient tools (databases and Excel sheets) have been developed to manage data input and to show results of multiple scenarios.

Result

The model finds the optimal dispatch given the available transmission capacity between areas. The optimal dispatch represents the lowest total costs for the entire model area.

In addition, the model finds future optimal investments, as it chooses technology, capacity and locations. Refurbishments or shutdown of existing capacity can be part of the analysis.