Considering Socio-Technical Parameters in Energy System Models—The Current Status and Next Steps

Theresa Liegl (), Simon Schramm, Philipp Kuhn and Thomas Hamacher
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Theresa Liegl: Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstraße 64, 80335 München, Germany
Simon Schramm: Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstraße 64, 80335 München, Germany
Philipp Kuhn: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4a, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
Thomas Hamacher: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4a, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: The energy transition is a complex development towards a climate-neutral, economic, safe, and fair energy system. Therefore, numerical energy system models, among others, can make a significant contribution by simulating, optimizing and thus demonstrating possible transition pathways. Representative models and forecasting tools are needed to illustrate the next necessary steps and measures for the various target groups. In the literature, such energy system models have been studied and evaluated many times. This paper presents the approaches of previous reviews and analyses of how technical, economic, and social aspects of energy system models have been investigated so far. It is shown that especially recent studies already address this topic, but still receive insufficient recognition. Besides the general structural features, the technical modeling details were evaluated in the previous literature. Thereby, a part of the examined general reviews assesses the representation of consumer behavior in the models as a representative for social system aspects. Only a minor amount of the energy system models analyzed there per se represent consumer behavior. Furthermore, this article identifies possible linking strategies of social science parameters and energy system models from the literature based on their opportunities and challenges. This analysis forms a basis on which the already established majority of techno-economic energy system models can be extended in order to provide a more holistic view of the energy system. To do so, further research and development to improve future interdisciplinary processes are required.

Keywords: energy system modeling; socio-technical energy transition; renewable energy; review (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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