Model Development
Current Projects
Land use implication of developing renewable energy resources: A case study of Atlantic Canada
The route to net-zero emissions in Atlantic Canada by 2050 is both time and resource restricted. In this context, energy system models may be used to assess climate change mitigation strategies and to strategically plan for reaching climate change targets in a cost-effective and timely manner. Inspired by these conditions, Net Zero Atlantic is developing an open-source energy system model for Atlantic Canada that will serve as a collaborative tool for resolving concerns regarding our region's energy future. The Atlantic Canada Energy System (ACES) model must be able to illustrate energy system solutions that are possible given the types and characteristics of the resources available in Atlantic Canada in order to provide the best utility to regional decision-makers.
Land intensity, an important aspect of resource development, is currently unaccounted for in the ACES model's optimization decisions, which is typical with the architecture of most capacity expansion energy system models. The absence of land use tracking in the ACES model and other comparable models is concerning, considering the large land use needs connected with renewable energy development, which have been widely documented in the literature. On this premise, our collaboration with NZA will strive to enhance the ACES model's depiction of land use requirements and regional land use restrictions.
Authors: Narges Sefid
Detailed Land and Water Representation for CLEWs Modelling
This study aims to enhance the Climate, Land, Energy, and Water systems (CLEWs) model to enable a more robust and accessible evaluation of the trade-offs and synergies among interconnected sources. To achieve detailed cross-regional interdependencies, a significant emphasis is placed on conducting a comprehensive analysis of land and water data, while considering the cost of the computational process associated with improving the spatial resolution. We are adopting the GLOBAL Agro-Ecological Zones (GAEZ) dataset to examine the interdependencies of water, land, and energy nexus under a set of biophysical constraints.
The study's first case is Kenya, and a policy brief will be presented, followed by a capacity development workshop for experts from government and academia to use the CLEWs model to discuss energy sources' interactions and impacts on meeting SDGs. This project aims to foster a long-term relationship between Kenyan academics and the government for regional and national planning.
Authors: Yalda Saedi
OSeMOSYS Global
In collaboration with the University College Cork (Ireland) and Climate Compatibe Growth we are developing OSeMOSYS Global, an open-source and open-data model generator. OSeMOSYS Global can be used to create inter-connected energy system models for the entire globe or for any geographically diverse subset of the globe. Built using the open-source energy modelling system, OSeMOSYS, it is fully configurable by the user in determining the modelling detail and geographic scope. The configurable workflow and full energy model representation allows policy makers to evaluate long-term energy policy decisions at both a country/regional level and at a global level.
CLEWs+ Global Model
We are developing a CLEWs model generator to create a base energy system model in OSeMOSYS that includes land (food) and water interactions for any user defined set of countries in the world. In addition to developing new energy systems models, ΔE+ is also committed to making models more open and accessible. Models that consider vital resource systems in addition to energy are crucial for informing policies that takes into account water and land systems, and making CLEWs models more accessible can help to promote open and accessible policy analysis. Based on existing data sets such as OSeMOSYS Global and the Global Agro-Ecological Zoning Database, we are developing a tool to automatically build a base Climate, Land, Energy, Water systems (CLEWs) model of any user-inputted country or countries. The model generator will make it easier to get a basic CLEWs model for any country, to make for more consistent and accessible CLEWs modelling.
CLEWs+ Canada Model
To investigate the impact of policy interventions while assessing the interlinkages of the Climate, Land, Energy, and Water systems (CLEWs) nexus, we develop a CLEWs model of Canada. The nexus approach accounts for the synergies and trade-offs between interconnected systems. Canada, with its diverse set of political jurisdictions and energy systems, provides an interesting application of the CLEWs modelling approach. We utilize an open-source integrated modelling framework to assess direct and indirect impacts of policy decisions on long-term energy supply, agriculture, and land use, and GHG emissions.
US-Canada Model
In cooperation with The University of Texas at Austin this OSeMOSYS model of the U.S-Canada electricity system supports decarbonization efforts towards both countries’ emission reduction goals. We calculate the generation mix and transmission pathways between Canada and the U.S. under 6 climate and trade policy scenarios. The necessary increase in emission penalties leads to increases in transmission capacity. The electricity system requires significant dispatchable, low carbon electricity to meet emission reduction goals. The flexibility of hydro resources is another major factor that is studied. The generation from variable and non-variable renewables and transmission increase nationally and internationally with specific investments in hydroelectric, wind and solar.
Paper link: The role of U.S.-Canada electricity trade in North American decarbonization pathways.
Storage Model Algorithm Development/Assessment project
We are working actively to improve the representation of storage in energy system models. Exisiting models often have a storage component to them, but this is often assumed to represent all aspects of the storage operation and contribution to the system even for long term modelling. This project will investigate the assumptions and model structures required to effectively model storage in long term energy models. This will allow better representation of common storage technologies such as Lithium ion batteries, pumped hydropower and power to gas (P2G) for hydrogen production.
Past Projects
Living Lab Project: Fleet Electrification for SFU Operation Vehicles
In this project we use a Life Cycle Assessment framework to assess the challenges and benefits of fleet electrification for SFU operational vehicles. We examine the entirety of the life cycle, including energy and resources required for new electric vehicles and disposal of used batteries at the end of the vehicle life, from both the existing and future vehicle options. There is a need to understand and prepare for the infrastructure and energy system changes associated with the switch ahead of time, so as to reduce the trade-offs of reducing green house gas emissions from fleet vehicles.
Evaluating Combined Modelling Frameworks
Systems modelling is one of the main tools used by policy makers to inform decisions on multi-criteria challenges. Recent systems modelling work has linked power systems, capacity expansion, and energy-economy approaches but, to date, there has not been a comprehensive review of the advantages and disadvantages of these different approaches to policy evaluation. This project, supported by a SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) Knowledge Synthesis Grant, is investigating different combined modelling approaches and will develop best practices for combined modelling for sustainable development.
Paper link: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac5cf5