Heat Decarbonisation Modelling Approaches in the UK: An Energy System Architecture Perspective

Daniel Scamman, Baltazar Solano-Rodríguez, Steve Pye, Lai Fong Chiu, Andrew Z. P. Smith, Tiziano Gallo Cassarino, Mark Barrett and Robert Lowe
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Daniel Scamman: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Baltazar Solano-Rodríguez: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Steve Pye: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Lai Fong Chiu: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Andrew Z. P. Smith: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Tiziano Gallo Cassarino: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Mark Barrett: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Robert Lowe: UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-28

Abstract: Energy models have been widely applied to the analysis of energy system decarbonisation to assess the options and costs of a transition to a low carbon supply. However, questions persist as to whether they are able to effectively represent and assess heat decarbonisation pathways for the buildings sector. A range of limitations have been identified, including a poor spatio-temporal resolution, limited representation of behaviour, and restricted representation of the full technical option set. This paper undertakes a review of existing energy models for heat decarbonisation in the UK, applying the novel perspective of energy system architecture (ESA). A set of ESA-related features are identified (including evolvability, flexibility, robustness, and feasibility), and models are reviewed against these features. The review finds that a range of models exist that have strengths across different features of ESA, suggesting that multiple modelling approaches are needed in order to adequately address the heat decarbonisation challenge. However, opportunities to improve existing models and develop new approaches also exist, and a research agenda is therefore proposed.

Keywords: heat decarbonisation; energy system architecture; energy modelling (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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