Governing Decentral Energy Systems

Against the backdrop of an energy system moving from vertically integrated monopolies towards a decentral system with a multitude of actors in ever-changing roles, we observe a gradual strengthening of central governance mechanisms on the nation-state and on the European level. Such a top-down approach to the governance of the energy system might have been necessary to open up energy markets to competitive processes and innovation. With social goals shifting and security of supply and environmental concerns gaining importance, the governance of the energy system has to be reshaped anew, enabling, e.g., the optimization of regional energy systems by local actors. In particular, strict unbundling rules may hinder or preclude system-serving behavior, to the detriment of all market participants and consumers. Lawmakers and regulators should provide some leeway to cooperative approaches, such as the empowerment of local actors to devise their own energy regimes.

Modeling Charging Infrastructure Requirements to Achieve a Holistic E-Mobility Integration in Regional Energy Systems

Since E-Mobility is on the rise worldwide, large Charging Infrastructure (CI) networks are required to satisfy the upcoming Charging Demand (CD). Understanding this CD with its spatial and temporal uncertainties is important for grid operators to quantify the grid impact of Electric Vehicle integration and for Charging Station (CS) operators to assess long-term CI investments. Hence, we introduce an Agent-based E-Mobility Model assessing regional CI systems with their multi-directional interactions between CSs and vehicles. A Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) is applied to quantify the impact of 11 technical levers on 17 relevant charging system outputs. The GSA evaluates the E-Mobility integration in terms of grid impact, economic viability of CSs and Service Quality of the deployed Charging Infrastructure (SQCI). Based on this impact assessment we derive general guidelines for E-Mobility integration into regional systems. We found, inter alia, that CI policies should aim at allocating CSs across different types of locations to utilize cross-locational effects such as CSs at public locations affecting the charging peak in residential areas by up to 18%. Additionally, while improving the highway charging network is an effective lever to increase the SQCI in urban areas, public charging is an even stronger lever in rural areas.

Modeling Charging Infrastructure Requirements to Achieve a Holistic E-Mobility Integration in Regional Energy Systems

Since E-Mobility is on the rise worldwide, large Charging Infrastructure (CI) networks are required to satisfy the upcoming Charging Demand (CD). Understanding this CD with its spatial and temporal uncertainties is important for grid operators to quantify the grid impact of Electric Vehicle integration and for Charging Station (CS) operators to assess long-term CI investments. Hence, we introduce an Agent-based E-Mobility Model assessing regional CI systems with their multi-directional interactions between CSs and vehicles. A Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) is applied to quantify the impact of 11 technical levers on 17 relevant charging system outputs. The GSA evaluates the E-Mobility integration in terms of grid impact, economic viability of CSs and Service Quality of the deployed Charging Infrastructure (SQCI). Based on this impact assessment we derive general guidelines for E-Mobility integration into regional systems. We found, inter alia, that CI policies should aim at allocating CSs across different types of locations to utilize cross-locational effects such as CSs at public locations affecting the charging peak in residential areas by up to 18%. Additionally, while improving the highway charging network is an effective lever to increase the SQCI in urban areas, public charging is an even stronger lever in rural areas.

Effect of the Foresight Horizon on Computation Time and Results Using a Regional Energy Systems Optimization Model

Due to the high complexity of detailed sector-coupling models, a perfect foresight optimization approach reaches complexity levels that either requires a reduction of covered time-steps or very long run-times. To mitigate these issues, a myopic approach with limited foresight can be used. This paper examines the influence of the foresight horizon on local energy systems using the model DISTRICT. DISTRICT is characterized by its intersectoral approach to a regionally bound energy system with a connection to the superior electricity grid level. It is shown that with the advantage of a significantly reduced run-time, a limited foresight yields fairly similar results when the input parameters show a stable development. With unexpected, shock-like events, limited foresight shows more realistic results since it cannot foresee the sudden parameter changes. In general, the limited foresight approach tends to invest into generation technologies with low variable cost and avoids investing into demand reduction or efficiency with high upfront costs as it cannot compute the benefits over the time span necessary for full cost recovery. These aspects should be considered when choosing the foresight horizon.

Strategies development for the formation of resource-saving regional energy systems based on data mining methods

The Russian regions have been tasked with reducing the energy intensity of the country’s gross product through the implementation of regional state programs for the formation of resource-saving energy systems. The required reduction in the GRP energy intensity can be achieved by different types of strategies for the development of the energy economy of the regions, the effectiveness of which largely depends on the production, technological and structural features of regional energy systems. In the work, using data mining tools, clustering and classification of regional power systems are carried out and the best resource saving strategies are proposed for each of the selected groups of power systems.

Energy Regionalism in ECOWAS and the EU

A proven framework is vital to governing energy at the regional level, so as to ensure abundant modern energy access while achieving a net-zero economy. This book explains the governance of regional energy systems from a unique and distinctive international political economy perspective. The book conducts a comparative institutional analysis of the ECOWAS and EU energy regions, and highlights shifts from monocentric to polycentric energy governance. It charts a way of developing a robust regional energy governance regime based on the ‘design principles’ of Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom. Aimed at political scientists and political economists with an interest in energy studies and comparative regionalism with a focus on the Global South and North, this book will appeal to students, academics and policymakers. Michael Amoah Awuah is a research fellow at the Center for European Integration Studies at the University of Bonn, Germany.