Exploring Low-Carbon Futures: A Web Service Approach to Linking Diverse Climate-Energy-Economy Models

Getachew F. Belete, Alexey Voinov, Iñaki Arto, Kishore Dhavala, Tatyana Bulavskaya, Leila Niamir, Saeed Moghayer and Tatiana Filatova
Additional contact information
Getachew F. Belete: University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
Alexey Voinov: University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
Kishore Dhavala: Basque Centre for Climate Change, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
Tatyana Bulavskaya: Districon, 3603 AW Maarssen, The Netherlands
Leila Niamir: University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
Saeed Moghayer: Wageningen University & Research, WECR, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-24

Abstract: The use of simulation models is essential when exploring transitions to low-carbon futures and climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. There are many models developed to understand socio-environmental processes and interactions, and analyze alternative scenarios, but hardly one single model can serve all the needs. There is much expectation in climate-energy research that constructing new purposeful models out of existing models used as building blocks can meet particular needs of research and policy analysis. Integration of existing models, however, implies sophisticated coordination of inputs and outputs across different scales, definitions, data and software. This paper presents an online integration platform which links various independent models to enhance their scope and functionality. We illustrate the functionality of this web platform using several simulation models developed as standalone tools for analyzing energy, climate and economy dynamics. The models differ in levels of complexity, assumptions, modeling paradigms and programming languages, and operate at different temporal and spatial scales, from individual to global. To illustrate the integration process and the internal details of our integration framework we link an Integrated Assessment Model (GCAM), a Computable General Equilibrium model (EXIOMOD), and an Agent Based Model (BENCH). This toolkit is generic for similar integrated modeling studies. It still requires extensive pre-integration assessment to identify the ‘appropriate’ models and links between them. After that, using the web service approach we can streamline module coupling, enabling interoperability between different systems and providing open access to information for a wider community of users.

Keywords: integrated modeling; climate change; scenario analyses; interoperability; web services; low carbon economy (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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