The programme

08:45 - 09.00 Coffee and welcome

09:00 - 09.30 Complex Renewable Energy Networks
Professor Martin Greiner, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University

09.30 - 10.00 Overview of PyPSA-Eur and selected recent research outcomes
Marta Victoria, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University

10.00 - 10.30 Leveraging Large-Scale Energy System Models for Energy System Economics
Associate Professor Alexander Kies, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – Electrical Energy Technology, Aarhus University

10.30 - 11.00 Coffee break

11.00 - 11.30 Intermittency and the potential of wind energy for CO2 abatement
Professor Bent Jesper Christensen, CoRE, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University

11.30 - 12.00 Topics in Climate Econometrics
Professor Eric Hillebrand, CoRE, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University

12.00 - 12.30 Centerdenmark
Andreas Okkels Overgaard Thomsen, Centerdenmark

12.30 - 13.15 Lunch

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Martin Greiner, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University
https://www.au.dk/en/greiner@mpe.au.dk

Complex Renewable Energy Networks

As a precursor to PyPSA, a simple renewable energy network (REN) model is discussed, which describes a future European electricity system with a high share of wind and solar power generation. The weather acts as the fluctuating driving force. The weather-driven network modelling represents a direct approach to obtain fundamental estimates on the required backup infrastructure of highly renewable large-scale energy systems. The optimization of energy system costs is addressed, leading to new design concepts like the optimal heterogeneity and the benefit of cooperation. In order to clarify how the resulting common-good costs are shared in a fair manner, flow tracing algorithms are described; possible extensions and their linkage to electricity markets are sketched. The dimensional reduction of high-dimensional RENs to low-dimensional systems is also sketched and how this relates to the development of new power flow forecasting tools and to climate change.

Marta Victoria, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University
https://www.au.dk/en/mvp@mpe.au.dk

Overview of PyPSA-Eur and selected recent research outcomes

This presentation will provide a short overview of the open energy model PyPSA-Eur (https://pypsa.org)  which includes a networked representation of the European energy system comprising the electricity, heating, land transport, aviation, shipping and industry sectors, as well as a detailed accounting of carbon capture, use, and storage. Its capabilities will be showcased using examples of recent research including planning of power and hydrogen infrastructure, evaluating alternative transition paths towards climate-neutral systems, and investigating the evolution of electricity prices and required CO2 tax to achieve timely decarbonization.

Alexander Kies, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – Electrical Energy Technology, Aarhus University
https://www.au.dk/en/kies@ece.au.dk

Leveraging Large-Scale Energy System Models for Energy System Economics

This talk explores the critical role of large-scale energy system modelling in shaping energy economics. I will delve into the technical capabilities of energy system models, illustrating their applications in policy analysis, investment decision-making, and system optimization. Through real-world case studies, I will highlight their impact on renewable energy integration, climate change mitigation, and grid modernization. I will also discuss potential shortcomings, such as the gap between cost-effective solutions identified by models and practical implementation challenges—e.g., models may show that widespread adoption of a certain technology is cost-effective, but in reality, there are significant obstacles to achieving this. In addition, I will explore future advancements and interdisciplinary approaches to drive sustainable energy solutions.

 Søren Bernt Lindegaard, Head of Project Portfolio, Centerdenmark, 
www.centerdenmark.com

Centerdenmark

The non-profit foundation Center Denmark will introduce how their Data Platform can handle data management in research projects so that researchers can focus on analysis and innovation. The introduction will focus on Center Denmarks mission to accelerate the green transition through seamless data sharing for research and innovation purposes.  Discover how our advanced data platform can significantly reduce the time spent on collecting, storing, and sorting data and how we integrate diverse data sets and enrich them with additional relevant information.

Bent Jesper Christensen, Professor, CoRE, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University, 
https://www.au.dk/en/bjchristensen@econ.au.dk

Intermittency and the potential of wind energy for CO2 abatement

The potential of wind energy for CO2 abatement is hampered by intermittency, given the dependence on sufficiently steady winds within a certain speed range, and the limited storability of power. Using high-frequency (hourly) observations on wind speed, we construct an extensive measure of intermittency, given by the incidence of too weak or too strong wind for power generation, and a new intensive measure, given by realized volatility of wind speed. The latter comes through as a particularly strong explanatory variable in an analysis of the dynamic relation between CO2 emissions, net electricity import, and wind energy in Denmark. Volatility of wind speed reduces wind generation and increases emissions.

Eric Hillebrand, Professor, CoRE, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University,
https://www.au.dk/ehillebrand@econ.au.dk

TBD