Simulation versus Optimisation: Theoretical Positions in Energy System Modelling

Henrik Lund, Finn Arler, Poul Alberg Østergaard, Frede Hvelplund, David Connolly, Brian Vad Mathiesen and Peter Karnøe
Additional contact information
Henrik Lund: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Finn Arler: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Poul Alberg Østergaard: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Frede Hvelplund: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Rendsburggade 14, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
David Connolly: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
Brian Vad Mathiesen: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
Peter Karnøe: Department of Planning, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: In recent years, several tools and models have been developed and used for the design and analysis of future national energy systems. Many of these models focus on the integration of various renewable energy resources and the transformation of existing fossil-based energy systems into future sustainable energy systems. The models are diverse and often end up with different results and recommendations. This paper analyses this diversity of models and their implicit or explicit theoretical backgrounds. In particular, two archetypes are defined and compared. On the one hand, the prescriptive investment optimisation or optimal solutions approach. On the other hand the analytical simulation or alternatives assessment approach. Awareness of the dissimilar theoretical assumption behind the models clarifies differences between the models, explains dissimilarities in results, and provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for understanding and interpreting results from the two archetypes.

Keywords: energy system analysis; investment optimisation models; simulations models; modelling theory; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (96)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/7/840/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/7/840/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:7:p:840-:d:102450

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().