Adaptable Energy Systems Integration by Modular, Standardized and Scalable System Architectures: Necessities and Prospects of Any Time Transition

Jonas Hinker, Thomas Wohlfahrt, Emily Drewing, Sergio Felipe Contreras Paredes, Daniel Mayorga González and Johanna M. A. Myrzik
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Jonas Hinker: Institute of Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency and Energy Economics (ie3), TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
Thomas Wohlfahrt: Institute of Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency and Energy Economics (ie3), TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
Emily Drewing: Chair of Sociology, Labour and Economics, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Sergio Felipe Contreras Paredes: Institute of Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency and Energy Economics (ie3), TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
Daniel Mayorga González: Institute of Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency and Energy Economics (ie3), TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
Johanna M. A. Myrzik: Institute of Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency and Energy Economics (ie3), TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 70, 44227 Dortmund, Germany

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Energy conversion and distribution of heat and electricity is characterized by long planning horizons, investment periods and depreciation times, and it is thus difficult to plan and tell the technology that optimally fits for decades. Uncertainties include future energy prices, applicable subsidies, regulation, and even the evolution of market designs. To achieve higher adaptability to arbitrary transition paths, a technical concept based on integrated energy systems is envisioned and described. The problem of intermediate steps of evolution is tackled by introducing a novel paradigm in urban infrastructure design. It builds on standardization, modularization and economies of scale for underlying conversion units. Building on conceptual arguments for such a platform, it is then argued how actors like (among others) municipalities and district heating system operators can use this as a practical starting point for a manageable and smooth transition towards more environmental friendly supply technologies, and to commit to their own pace of transition (bearable investment/risk). Merits are not only supported by technical arguments but also by strategical and societal prospects like technology neutrality and availability of real options.

Keywords: energy infrastructure design; system architecture; energy transition; district heating systems (DHS); energy hubs; distributed multigeneration (DMG); multi-energy systems (MES); urban energy systems (UES); community energy; societal prospects (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: 2018
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