eGon
UPDATE Open and cross-sectoral planning of transmission and distribution grids
Planning of cellular energy systems with the openPlan Tool
With the openPlan Tool, you can plan and design energy cells in the context of the cellular approach. To openPlan Tool
Energy cells explained
The cellular approach is a model framework for energy systems that is based on decentralized energy systems and sector coupling.
The cellular approach describes an energy system that is organized into so-called energy cells.
The cellular approach is based on the principle of subsidiarity, with energy supply and demand being balanced as closely as possible at the local level.
An energy cell can contain and combine various energy sectors, such as electricity, heat, mobility, etc.
About the project
The functions for planning cellular energy systems were developed in the context of the open_plan 1.0 research project. The project consortium consisted of the Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI), the German Solar Energy Society (DGS) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). It was funded from January 2020 to June 2023 as part of the 'Technology-oriented Systems Analysis' funding area of the BMWi's 7th Energy Research Program 'Innovation for the Energy Transition.'
Cross-sector and open-source planning tool
Sector coupling
The tool is used for the optimized planning of energy cells for the (partial) supply of electricity and heat to neighborhoods, commercial parks and industry in Germany. As active subsystems, energy cells can facilitate the integration of renewable energies and significantly reduce the need for grid expansion, since they can be planned and controlled in relation to each other.
Open licence
The project follows the promising open science approach that RLI has already implemented in many projects, and all data, methods, and program codes are made available under a suitable open license. This ensures that scientific standards are met, because only results that have been generated with open and citable tools and data can be reproduced and duplicated in the field of software-based research.
Stakeholder dialogue
Through close collaboration within the consortium and with a wide range of stakeholders and users, the research network was expanded and a broad range of new, important, and explicitly application-oriented research questions were developed.
Features
Sector coupling
Combination of different generation components and demand categories for designing optimized systems and operational strategies
Data management
Integration of open libraries, e.g. generation and consumption data, and use of open generic formats
Scenario analysis
An automated creation of scenarios allows for an easy comparison of different options and to understand sensitivities
Reproducibility
All results are reproducible on the basis of open and transparent calculations
Modularity
A wide variety of different energy systems requires modular components to map different degrees of complexity and framework conditions
User friendliness
The tool was developed with a strong focus on easy use without requiring programming language expertise
Easy collaboration
Projects can be shared with team members, customers or suppliers, so that all involved parties can be informed about the current project progress in a central tool
Interfaces
Standardized formats enable easy integration of external databases and other tools used in energy system analysis
Related projects (NEED UPDATE)
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Would you like to be involved in the further development of the open-plan tool?
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to develop further functionalities together with us.
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