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– Open access software, benchmarks and data records: The Helmholtz Association’s Energy Computing Initiative supports the climate transformation of energy systems. Energy Transition
Courtesy by KIT: Computer models are essential to obtain energy return also known as “Energy Transition “. The simulations can help in planning capacities to generate, transport and store energy, taking into account dynamic parameters, such as climate and energy consumption.
Scientists at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) played a crucial role in the development of the corresponding modeling tools that the Helmholtz Association (HGF) recently made available on an Internet platform – free and open source. This Helmholtz Energy Computing Initiative (HECI) aims to facilitate cooperation in the implementation of climate protection measures in energy systems.
Whether in the context of planning new power lines, distributed power plants or a future change in energy market regulation – computer models help to make informed decisions in the context of energy recovery.
Until now, there were no common modeling standards. With the Helmholtz Energy Computing Initiative (HECI), which involves scientists from several Helmholtz centers, including KIT, HGF now presents a platform on which, for the first time, open access benchmarks, scalable methods, realistic data, and open source software is available for project planning and optimization of future energy systems.
“With this initiative, we provide free access to valuable resources on the way to a safe, sustainable and affordable energy system”, says Professor Holger Hanselka , Vice President of the Energy research field at the Helmholtz Association and President of KIT. “We are therefore clearly committed to open source and a transparent exchange of science. In this way, we not only set global standards for modeling energy systems, but also for cooperation and open science, in the spirit of the Helmholtz Association principles. “
Toolbox for power system transformation
Among the many HECI offerings is, for example, an open source toolbox called “Python for power system analysis” (PyPSA), which can be used to simulate and optimize modern power supply systems. The “Framework for Integrated Energy Assessment” (FINE) – software specially developed to improve intersectoral energy systems – helps to determine the transformation paths for the general system.
Recently developed algorithms, such as the “McCormick-based algorithm for global non-linear mixed number optimization” (MAiNGO) or the “Time series aggregation module” (tsam), are available to solve typical optimization problems in the expansion of renewable energy .
In addition to the software offerings, the HECI platform contains data records and references, that is, complete models of energy systems, including data for the evaluation and improvement of simulation methods.
The interaction of different tools allows for optimal operational and investment decisions across the entire range of energy systems, from individual properties to trans-European energy transmission networks. At the same time, they help to meet Paris’ climate goals.
The HECI platform was implemented by scientists as part of the Helmholtz joint initiative “Energy System 2050”. For this initiative, KIT cooperated with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Helmholtz Center Potsdam (GFZ), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) , the Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (partner associated with IPP), Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ).
Promotion of cooperation and exchange in energy research
An open and shared ecosystem for modeling energy systems has many advantages: Since energy policy can be highly controversial, open research increases the confidence of political decision-makers and the public in the results of science.
The availability of open access also reduces redundancies in research work, so that resources can be used more efficiently. In addition, this will have a beneficial effect on the quality of the research itself: feedback and error corrections from various stakeholders can contribute to the further development of open source.
And finally, the availability of software and open source also promotes cooperation in the energy sector at national and international levels. This facilitates the exchange of models, as they were created with the same tools; and the software can also be more easily adapted to individual needs. Instead of resorting to expensive training, users can support each other when working with the tools.
The modeling tools of the Helmholtz Association are already in use today, for example, in the main operators of the power transmission network in Germany. They are also used worldwide by research institutions, NGOs and companies.
About the “2050 Energy System” initiative
The German “Energy Transition” (energy recovery) is an ambitious social project that extends into the future. To allow adaptation to changing influences and boundary conditions at any time, the transformation of the energy system until 2050 must remain flexible.
This requires a systemic and comprehensive view, which includes all the properties of the energy system, such as structure and components, stability and controllability, reliability, security, economic viability, environmental compatibility, legislation and social and ethical aspects. “Energy System 2050”, the Helmholtz Association’s joint energy research initiative, uses interdisciplinary engineering and natural science knowledge,
More about KIT Energy Center
As “the Research University of the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and transmits knowledge to society and the environment. The goal is to make significant contributions to global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information.
To that end, some 9,300 employees cooperate across a wide range of disciplines in the natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics and humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 24,400 students for responsible tasks in society, industry and science, offering research-based study programs.
KIT’s innovation efforts build a bridge between important scientific discoveries and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity and preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the top German universities.
More information Energy Transition: https://www.helmholtz.de/forschung/energie/energie_system_2050/
About the KIT Energy Center: http://www.energie.kit.edu
Link to the HECI platform: https://www.helmholtz.de/heci/
Source: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
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