ENavi

The transformation of the energy supply towards a fossil-free energy system is not only technologically challenging but needs to consider societal processes as well. Besides technical requirements for the system’s reliability and stability, environmental as well as economic and social sustainability, but also political feasibility need to be taken into account. Within the research project ENavi more than 60 partners of science, economy, and society commonly investigate options to support the transition of the energy system and their impacts on various societal domains. The objective is developing a navigation system for the transition of the energy system. The department INES is part of work packages sector coupling as well as digitalisation and ICT.

A comprehensively fossil-free energy system via the integration of renewable energies requires a detailed analysis of an expanded coupling between energy sectors. This will enable individual sectors to gain access to renewable energies using renewable electricity and offers significant potential for flexibility. Technical, economic and regulatory aspects are taken into account, including the question of whether and how the relevant stakeholders can and must be involved.

In work package 8 INES develops a Dialogue Tool (IDEA) which makes techno-economic energy system analyses accessible to interactive decision-making processes and discussions with the stakeholders of the energy transition. First of all, a large number of feasible energy system solutions (interpolation points) are pre-calculated using an optimising energy system model. Then, a spline function is generated. The tool uses the function as a basis to illustrate in real time the impact of adjustable economic, technical or political parameters for an optimal generation and storage power plant park. This method has already been implemented and will be validated and evaluated.

The future energy system is based on renewable energy sources and couples electricity, heat, and traffic. Because wind and solar power are not provided uniformly but fluctuating, besides the application of storage facilities the consumption of electricity needs to be aligned with its generation. A direct energy exchange (DEX) is able to send price signals which incentivise load shifts (heat pumps, charging electric vehicles).

In cooperation with Fraunhofer IEE the department INES builds up a demonstration environment, representing each prosumer as a software agent which deals at an exchange platform based on heterogeneous hardware configurations and individual consumption preferences. An important building block is an agent-based, automated monitoring and forecast of energy consumption and generation as well as market development. Various devices are emulated and linked to a prosumer. The optimised trade is implemented on physically distributed OGEMA clients.

Within AP9, Digitalisation and ICT, applicable communication structures between market participants and the platform are developed and evaluated. The focus is on the system’s security and stability towards attacks and disturbances. Besides investigations about the technical feasibility alternative market designs are subjects of research.