Melbourne Energy Institute

Energy system models are useful tools for addressing complex energy systems that comprise energy production from a broad range of sources, the distribution networks and consumption patterns of the end-users.  The models come in two main forms.

Firstly, global or national long term models that simulate the energy system on timesteps of years which estimate the optimal mix of energy production options for electricity, transport and industry such as coal, gas, wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and biomass for a given target of low cost, low carbon emissions or other targets.

Secondly, smaller scale models simulating national or regional electricity (and gas) systems at timestep of hours that look at how energy systems can meet the time varying demands of consumers, for example how much energy supply is required during heatwaves (and how much it might cost), and what impact increasing the amount of intermittent power (i.e. wind and solar photovoltaics) has on the reliability of the networks.

At the University of Melbourne, researchers have extensive experience using the large scale models, and have used such models to simulate the energy system out to 2100 to determine the optimal energy mix and cost of moving to a low carbon economy.  Work is just beginning to utilize and develop the smaller scale models to improve our understanding of the impacts of increased solar, wind and other renewable electricity generation technologies, impacts of a carbon trading scheme, and changing consumer behavior through more efficient buildings and appliances, and intelligent grids.

Projects

• Melbourne University Renewable Energy Infrastructure Laboratory

• Economic Models of Energy Markets

Contact

• Dr Roger Dargaville