Model Applications
Source: https://pypsa.org/
PyPSA BC
In this endeavour we are building a production cost model of British Columbia to simulate the operation of proposed capacity investment pathways. These simulations will provide operational insights on cost inefficiencies, operational infeasibilities, and resource adequacy risks. This model will be used in the PICS funded BC Decarbonization Pathways project, it will be used for the aforementioned operational insights by soft-linking to the BC Nexus model.
Authors: Pierre McWhannel
Project GitHub: https://github.com/DeltaE/PyPSA_BC
PICs Webpage: https://pics.uvic.ca/projects/building-pathways-future-powered-low-carbon-electricity
The Nam Ou Cascade Hydropower plants (source: The Third Pole)
Cascade Hydropower Plant Energy Model
Hydropower plants have the potential to significantly accelerate the transition towards clean energy, while also providing environmental protection and ensuring a stable and reliable power supply. Furthermore, given that rivers can be exploited for hydroelectric power, it is possible to construct multiple hydropower plants on a given river system. However, the decision-making process for implementing cascade hydropower plants (HPPs) in sustainable energy models is complex due to various decision variables and optimization challenges.
To address this complexity, a cascading HPP model has been developed with a detailed consideration of demand, cost, and energy sources to enable policymakers to make informed decisions on a regional and national scale. The model is built using the open-source energy modelling system (OSeMOSYS) due to its flexibility, functionality, and proven reputation. The model, documentation, and test sample are publicly available on Read the Docs and GitHub representing tools, guidelines, and structures for cascade HPPs modelling. To demonstrate the efficacy of the developed model, it has been successfully applied to the Nam Ou river in the Lao PDR. This river system features seven cascaded hydropower plants (HPPs) and is situated in a country that possesses abundant hydro facilities, making it a prominent producer and exporter of electricity in Southeast Asia.
Authors: Yalda Saedi
Current Projects
BC Nexus Model
The ΔE+ research team has developed the BC Nexus model to provide decision-makers in British Columbia (BC) with insight into the least-cost possible technological pathways to decarbonize our energy system. The model's nexus approach to transforming the energy system provides a more holistic understanding of synergies and trade-offs of energy-related policies and their impact on GHG reduction, land use and water resources. Tools like BC Nexus will benefit both the public and policymakers to better understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead of us. The project is recently awarded a three-year PICS Opportunity Projects Program grant. We would like to thank all solution seekers and research reviewers for their help in this project.
Solution seekers: RH2C, Aeolis, BC EMLI
Research reviewer: BC Hydro
BC Fleet Decarbonization
The ΔE+ research team is developing both a life cycle analysis and infrastructure model for evaluating impacts and opportunities for fleet decarbonization in BC. Supported by a fleet operators survey, these two models will provide BC with insights into the trends, opportunities, and barriers to fleet decarbonization in BC.
The Life Cycle Analysis of Zero-emission vehicles is built with Fleet LCA software, an SFU in-house developed software package developed by the SFU Fuel Cell Research Lab for analysis of new vehicle technologies with the ability to be customized, focusing specifically on the British Columbia context. The team will enhance this tool to address specific fleet configurations in the BC context. By analysing the technical and life cycle impacts of different fleet vehicle options, the project will provide Fraser Basin Council (FBC) with in-depth options and life cycle impacts of different vehicle fleets.
To identify the infrastructure and power system changes required to enable fleet electrification, we will develop an infrastructure model of BC. The barriers, trends and opportunities around light-duty and commercial vehicle fleet electrification, and moving to zero emission fleet vehicles, will support the decarbonization of road transport in BC to meet GHG reduction targets. This project focuses on the electrification of light-duty vehicle fleets, including those owned by private business, non-profit organizations, institutions, government departments and non-governmental organizations.
Outputs will be focussed on providing policy priorities for BC to support fleet decarbonization in BC to meet GHG reduction targets.
Integrating the Grids project
Developing methods to improve electrical system capacity and stability are needed immediately in order to reach net-zero emission targets. Integrating the electricity and natural gas networks can help store and distribute low-carbon energy, while limiting capital expenditure through the utilization of existing infrastructure. During periods of excess energy generation, the surplus electricity can be used to generate hydrogen to be stored in the natural gas network. Then through the multi-mode operation technologies (such as combined cooling, heat, and power systems), the gas blend can be used to deliver low emission energy to meet both local electrical and heating demands.
The ΔE+ research team is building an open-source power system model, using the PyPSA modelling framework, to investigate emission reduction solutions that involve coupling the natural gas and electrical networks in British Columbia. This work is funded by the Transition Accelerator in partnership with Enbala Power Networks.
JEDI in Modelling Project
Building Equity and Justice into Models is a research project in collaboration with the Community Engagement Research initiative at Simon Fraser University.
Interdisciplinary professors and researchers from the ΔE+ group in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering and the Resource and Environmental Planning program in the Faculty of Environment connected to engage communities in building energy models.
The primary objective of this project is to identify opportunities in our models to include metrics such as Equity, Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion(JEDI) to better address these issues. Since engineering-focused lenses usually overlook social metrics, we are working at the intersection of engineering and planning to address the real-life concerns of communities.
Aiming to add value to our modeling work, we need to interpret such qualitative criteria to quantitative metrics to define them as accurate formulas into energy models. That is why we are collecting indicators from various related resources and building creative frameworks to include in our model, not only for energy but for interconnections between Climate, Water and Land.
Authors: Narges Sefid
SDG Indicator Mapping Research Project
The pursuit of the SDGs can be strengthened with efficient policies reinforced by modelling frameworks that consider climate mitigation, adaptation policies and the exploration of interactions between different sectors. This project analyzes the linkages between a regionalized CLEWs model and the 17 UN SDGs.
The linkage with the 17 SDGs will be evaluated based on the 247 UN SDGs indicators, determining those that can be incorporated into the model and estimating the corresponding impact on Costa Rican policy. Including the SDG indicators in the model helps demonstrate additional benefits of the National Decarbonization Plan, illustrating new connections between science and policy, assuring peace and security, freedom, development and a healthy environment.