AUTHOR=Frey Ulrich J. , Sasanpour Shima , Breuer Thomas , Buschmann Jan , Cao Karl-Kiên 

TITLE=Tackling the multitude of uncertainties in energy systems analysis by model coupling and high-performance computing

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Economics

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-economics/articles/10.3389/frevc.2024.1398358

DOI=10.3389/frevc.2024.1398358

ISSN=2813-2823

ABSTRACT=This paper identifies and addresses three key challenges in energy systems analysisdifferentvarying assumptions, computational limitations, and coverage of a few indicators only. First, results depend strongly on assumptions, i.e. varying input data. Hence, comparisons and robust results are hard to achieve. To address this, we cover use a broad range of possible inputs through an extensive literature review by scenario experts. Second, we overcome computational limitations by an automated workflow using high-performance computing (HPC) and an automated workflow). Third, by coupling models and developing 13 indicators to evaluate the overall quality of energy systems in Germany for 2030, we analyze include many aspects of security of supply, market impact, life cycle analysis and cost optimization.A cCluster analysis of scenarios by indicators shows reveals 3 recognizable clusters, separating systems with a high share of renewables clearly from more conventional sets. Additionally, scenarios are can be identified which perform very positive for many of the 13 indicators.We conclude that an automated, coupled workflow on supercomputers based on a broad parameter space is able to produce robust results for many important aspects of future energy systems. Since all models and software components are released as open-source, all components of a multi-perspective model-chain are now available to the energy system modelling community.