• Energy Research

Abstract Investigation of pathways toward decarbonisation of energy supply systems strongly relies on integration of electricity generation from wind and photovoltaics (PV). Energy system model authors are typically not experts in creation of representative weather datasets, which are fundamental for an unbiased representation of volatile power generation within the models. The aim of this work is therefore to benchmark data quality and verify against feed-in records for datasets published from two projects: EMHIRES and Renewables.ninja; feed-in records taken from Transmission System Operators (TSO). Both projects used meteorological reanalysis data from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and Meteosat-based datasets from CM-SAF (Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring) to generate long-term hourly PV and wind power capacity factor time series. Although datasets were based on the same raw data sources, they present significant differences due to modelling of energy conversion technologies, correction and validation methods. Comparison of duration curves, full load hours, plots of hourly PV capacity factors as well as correlation analysis between datasets reveal that for PV generation EMHIRES is more similar to TSO’s data, while the Ninja dataset revealed more similarity when comparing wind datasets. Results showed that even based on the same data sources, time series were strongly dependent on methods applied subsequently. Application of the datasets within energy system models therefore could present a form of hidden exogenous bias to results. System modelers, who need weather based open license data to perform energy simulations, may be aware of differences in open license datasets available.

This paper presents a study of charging station usage in Ireland between 2016 and 2018. Using data collected by crawling the webpage of the Irish Board of Electricity, it can be shown that clear trends exist with regards to charging station usage. We show that peak-hours have a 20% higher usage probability than off-peak hours with the overall usage likelihood being quite low. Similarly, station usage on Sunday as off-peak day is several percent lower than on other days of the week. Looking at area-properties, we show a positive correlation between station usage and population density, electric vehicle density, and traffic density. For charging power an inverse relationship can be shown as slower chargers require longer parking-times. This offers potential for innovative station usage during off-peak hours and at sites without strong frequentation.

The implementation of photovoltaic and home storage systems in multi-family houses (MFHs) in Germany lags significantly behind their development in single-family houses. The Landlord-to-Tenant (L2T) power supply model is meant to reduce this gap, yet few projects have been implemented to date. In this model, the landlord must fulfill the tenants’ power demand through a combination of photovoltaic generation and storage and electricity from the grid, for which the landlord pays an auxiliary electricity price that greatly influences the financial viability of a project. Our contribution focuses on the impact of electricity price variations and recent policy changes on the financial viability of small-scale L2T concepts. We considered component investment costs, building sizes, photovoltaic yields, and future developments. Recent policy changes have improved the financial viability of L2T projects, increasing the maximal auxiliary electricity price for which an investment is viable by 13 ct/kWh for a four-party MFH. Minimal auxiliary electricity prices justifying the installation of home storage systems (HSSs) decreased by 9 ct/kWh from 2020 to 2023. Autarky rates are substantially different across the considered scenarios, with the autarky rate being defined as the percentage of consumption of self-generated energy relative to the total energy consumption. For a 22-party MFH the autarky rate decreases by 17% compared to a 4-party MFH. HSSs have the potential to increase autarky rates while maintaining the financial viability of L2T projects.

Abstract Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is a new type of consumer in the power grid. Oftentimes, theoretical models have to be used to understand the impact of these new assets since little empirical data of charging station usage is available. This paper aims to increase understanding of charging station usage by providing empirical data collected from 26,951 charging station connectors in Germany. We demonstrate that currently the usage intensity of stations is overall between 15% and 20% and therefore relatively low, but depends strongly on weekday and hour of the day. Fast-chargers are generally occupied less time compared to slower chargers while each charging event also takes significantly less time. A key challenge in optimizing real-world asset usage are EVs which are parked significantly longer at charging stations than the actual charging process takes. We show that an unexpectedly high share of charging events requires between 8 and 10 h indicating that people park their EVs before going to work and then picking them up after they finished working.

Renewable & sustainable energy reviews 161, 112331 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.rser.2022.112331 special issue: "MODEX: energy system model comparisons through harmonized applications / Edited by Hans-Christian Gils, Christoph Weber, Dominik Möst, Jochen Linßen" Published by Elsevier Science, Amsterdam [u.a.]

Today's energy system is largely based on the use of fossil energy sources, while clean, decentralised power generation have been gaining in importance as they became competitive in the last decade. Through increased integration of renewable energies and flexibility options for spatial and temporal balancing global reductions of carbon emissions are realisable to address raising global temperatures due to greenhouse gasses. The objectives of this thesis are to develop a computer optimisation toolbox for a flexible model parametrisation, which allows studying the long-term behaviour and development pathways of the power system, and to calculate different scenarios representing potential political frameworks or conditions. The tool that is developed, called GENESYS-2, will implement new algorithmic approaches in order to address the high complexity of the calculations required for the investigation of several decades with high temporal resolution of one hour. The model is parametrised for a European scenario with technical system component properties, cost and settings for political boundaries. Different sensitivities of the model are investigated to demonstrate how the concepts of the different available techno-economic parameters work and how they affect the properties of the model composition and resulting pathways. The investigation, furthermore, leads to the conclusion, that further integration of renewable sources is more economical than conventional generation, especially, if political decarbonisation targets need to be reached. The development of additional components like storage and grids to provide the necessary system flexibility, in the long run, need to become an essential part of investment efforts. Dissertation, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, 2019; Aachen : ISEA, Aachener Beiträge des ISEA 130, 1 Online-Ressource (viii, 204 Seiten) : Illustrationen, Diagramme (2019). doi:10.18154/RWTH-2019-09975 = Dissertation, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, 2019 Published by ISEA, Aachen

Heutige Produktions- und Konsummuster folgen weitgehend einer linearen Logik: abbauen, herstellen, konsumieren, entsorgen. Nur neun Prozent der Weltwirtschaft sind laut Circular Gap Report 2020 kreislaufgef��hrt. Doch dieses Wirtschaftsprinzip tr��gt zu einer massiven ��berschreitung der ���Planetaren Grenzen��� und damit zu einer Destabilisierung der ��kosysteme und Lebensgrundlage der Menschen bei, wie etwa des Klimasystems und der Artenvielfalt. Demzufolge wird derzeit viel ��ber einen Paradigmenwechsel in der Logik industrieller Wertsch��pfung diskutiert ��� weg von einem ressourcenintensiven hin zu einem ressourcenproduktiven, weitgehend kreislaufgef��hrten Modell. F��r das Industrie- und Exportland Deutschland ergeben sich weitreichende Chancen, schlie��lich bedeutet dieser Wechsel nicht weniger als eine Neuinterpretation des Modells ���Made in Germany���. Die Europ��ische Union und zahlreiche Mitgliedsl��nder haben bereits strategische Pl��ne f��r einen ��bergang zu einer ressourcenschonenden Wirtschaftsweise nach den Prinzipien der Circular Economy entwickelt. Auch au��erhalb von Europa folgen L��nder dieser Leitidee, beispielsweise China, Japan oder Kanada. F��r Deutschland fehlt solch ein Plan derzeit. Die Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland (CEID) hat zum Ziel, als Multi-Stakeholder-Prozess mit mehr als f��nfzig Institutionen aus Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft die Grundlage f��r einen solchen Plan zu legen. In interdisziplin��ren und branchen��bergreifenden Arbeitsgruppen er��rtern rund 130 Expertinnen und Experten, wie zirkul��re Wirtschaftssysteme erm��glicht und umgesetzt werden k��nnen. Dazu untersuchen sie m��gliche Anwendungsfelder und diskutieren, welche Rahmenbedingungen zu einer erfolgreichen Umsetzung f��hren k��nnten. Die Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland definiert Ziele f��r diesen Ver��nderungsprozess und fokussiert folgende Themen: - Zirkul��re Gesch��ftsmodelle und digitale Technologien als Innovationstreiber - Neue Wertsch��pfungsnetzwerke f��r Batterien und Verpackung - Rahmenbedingungen f��r eine zirkul��re Transformation und Bemessung der volkswirtschaftlichen Circular-Economy-Potenziale Zwischen Oktober 2019 und Mai 2020 hat die Arbeitsgruppe Traktionsbatterien der Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland einen Fahrplan ausgearbeitet, um eine Circular Economy f��r Traktionsbatterien ��� also Batterien, die batterieelektrische Fahrzeuge antreiben ��� zu erreichen. Der vorliegende Bericht ���Ressourcenschonende Batteriekreisl��ufe ��� mit Circular Economy die Elektromobilit��t antreiben��� ist das zentrale Ergebnis der Arbeit der Arbeitsgruppe. Er umfasst die Diskussion ��ber Potenziale, H��rden und m��gliche Zielkonflikte einer Circular Economy f��r Traktionsbatterien, die Skizzierung eines Zielbilds, die Entwicklung von Projektpl��nen dreier Pilotprojekte zur Beschleunigung des Transformationsprozesses und die Ableitung von Handlungsempfehlungen f��r die zentralen Akteure. Damit unterst��tzen die Mitglieder die Initiierung und langfristige Verankerung der Circular Economy in Deutschland und dar��ber hinaus. Die 21 Mitglieder der Arbeitsgruppe sind Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus f��hrenden akademischen Institutionen, deutschen Unternehmen und Vereinigungen mit ausgewiesenen Expertisen zu Traktionsbatterien. Damit konnte die Arbeitsgruppe ihr Ziel erreichen, eine m��glichst gesamtheitliche Betrachtung des Themas zu gew��hrleisten. Most current patterns of production and consumption follow a linear ���extract, produce, consume, dispose��� model. According to the Circular Gap Report 2020, the global economy is just 9% circular. This economic model is contributing to a massive transgression of ���planetary boundaries��� and the destabilisation of ecosystems and factors essential to human life such as the climate system and biodiversity. As a result, there is currently much discussion of a paradigm shift in the industrial value creation model, away from a resource-intensive system and towards a resource-productive, predominantly circular model. This shift offers significant opportunities for an industrialized, exporting nation like Germany ��� ultimately, it entails nothing less than a recasting of the ���Made in Germany��� model. The European Union and several of its member states have already developed strategic plans for the transition to a resource-efficient economic system based on circular economy principles. Non-European countries such as China, Japan and Canada are also following the same fundamental approach. However, Germany has yet to formulate a plan of its own. The Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland (CEID) is a multi-stakeholder initiative involving over fifty institutions from science, industry and civil society that aims to lay the foundations of a plan for Germany. In its interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral working groups, some 130 experts consider how to enable and implement circular economic models, exploring potential fields of application and discussing the conditions that could facilitate successful implementation. The Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland is developing targets for the transition, with a focus on the following themes: - Circular business models and digital technologies as drivers for innovation - New value networks for batteries and packaging - Framework conditions for a circular transformation and assessment of circularity���s economic potential Between October 2019 and May 2020, the Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland���s Traction Batteries working group devised a roadmap for the establishment of a circular economy for traction batteries (the batteries that drive battery electric vehicles). The report ���Resource-Efficient Battery Life Cycles ��� Driving Electric Mobility with the Circular Economy��� represents the main outcome of the working group���s deliberations. It discusses the opportunities, obstacles and potential conflicts of a circular economy for traction batteries, outlines a vision, presents plans for three pilot projects to accelerate the transformation and formulates recommendations for the main actors. Through this report, the working group���s members hope to support the initiation and long-term consolidation of a circular economy in Germany and beyond.

This data set contains the optimization results of the publication with title "Quantifying benefits of renewable investments for German residential Prosumers in times of volatile energy markets" (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51967-6). It provides a wide range of optimized load profiles for German single-family houselhold Prosumers. For optimization, we use the FOCUS framework (https://doi.org/10.18154/RWTH-2023-04127) developed at RWTH Aachen University. Each Prosumer has a photovoltaic system and optionally a combination of battery home storage system and heat pump. We provide energy flows between all components as well as generation, demand, and all input data with a resolution of 15 minutes for one year. Further, the number of residents is varied from 1-6 and the year of construction of the building from 1979-2008. The dataset covers the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2030. For selected households we optionally consider variable electricity prices, price breaks for natural gas and electricicty as introduced during the energy crisis, a variation of the size of the photovoltaic system (8.7/13.7 kWp), households with an electric vehicle, and a variation of the interest rate for investments from 2-5%. In addition to energy flows, we share the underlaying linear programming LP pyomo model for each optimized household.

9th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference, IRES 2015 / Edited by Peter Droege 9th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference, IRES 2015, Düsseldorf, Germany, 9 Mar 2015 - 11 Mar 2015; Engergy procedia, 73, 145-153 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.662