Decision Support Tools
Q-Scope
Designing novel, resilient energy systems is not feasible without the consideration of socio-technical dynamics in consumption and complex decision making. At the Department for Resilient Energy Systems, these dynamics are being researched using empirically supported Agent-Based Models (ABM) and "Decision Support Tools" - digital, interactive platforms. These tools are used in direct contact with the projects' stakeholders and facilitate a broad and easy access to the scientific models.
Q-Scope: Interactive Participation Platform
For the joint project QUARREE100, the Q-Scope platform was developed at the Resilient Energy Systems department. The platform was used at workshops with citizens to support participation in the project and at the same time has enabled the research of interactive, digital decision support tools with regard to their acceptance-increasing impact in energy transition projects.
Q-Scope has been developed on the model of the MIT project CityScope, which has already proven itself internationally in participatory processes for questions about public spatial planning and urban development. At the Department of Resilient Energy Systems, this framework was extended to include the perspective on socio-technical questions of the design of renewable energy systems in existing quarters.
Q-Scope comprises a structure consisting of an interactive table projection surface and a screen for data visualization. In workshops, stakeholders can interact with the projected quarter overview on the table using topstones, and start an agent-based simulation. Research results can thus be made available in low thresholds and discussed together.
The system is supported by an agent-based model, TREND, which was also developed for QUARREE100.
The code developed for the Q-Scope framework is freely available:
- Frontend: https://github.com/quarree100/qScope_frontend/
- Backend: https://github.com/quarree100/cspy
- Infoscreen: https://github.com/quarree100/qScope_infoscreen
A complete documentation is available at https://q-scope.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.
Agent-based modeling in the RESYSTRA project
The main objective of the RESYSTRA project was to identify and understand success factors of systemic transformation with regard to a resilient energy system. In addition to electrical energy supply, the study also focused on the mobility and heat supply sector.
The project was based on two main case studies:
- Consideration of regional self-sufficiency through renewable energies using the example of the district of Osterholz and the city of Wolfhagen.
- Power-to-fuel (P2F), an approach that uses renewable energy and CO 2 to produce synthetic fuels.
A key result in the consideration of the two regions was the recognition of the importance of socio-economic factors and the role of regional actors in the energy system, in particular in the value added by renewable energies.
A central tool within the RESYSTRA project was the agent-based model, which was used specifically for the investigation of power-to-fuel technology.
What is an agent-based model?
Agent-based models (ABM) are models used to simulate actions and interactions of autonomous actors (agents) in a network environment. Each agent has its own goals and rules. Based on the current environment situation and the actions of other agents, he can make decisions based on these goals and rules.
Application in the context of power-to-fuel:
For power-to-fuel technology, the agent-based model was used to analyze the potential launch and acceptance of this technology. In particular, it was investigated under which conditions power-to-fuel can be successfully developed in a niche and how a later integration of this technology into the broader market could succeed.
The model was able to simulate different scenarios in which different factors, such as regulatory framework conditions, market dynamics or technology development, were varied. The simulations helped to identify promising constellations and conditions for the further development of power-to-fuel.
Results:
One of the main findings of the simulation was that in addition to purely technological development, regulatory changes (e.g. CO 2 tax) and market design adjustments are required to ensure successful integration of the power-to-fuel products into the market. In addition, the model showed that electricity-based fuels produced by power-to-fuel are particularly important for those parts of the mobility sector that cannot be directly electrified, such as air and heavy-duty traffic.
RESYSTRA worked together with institutions such as the University of Bremen, the Institute for Ecological Economic Research in Berlin, the University of Stuttgart and the TU Delft.
The detailed results of the project can be viewed in various documents:
- RESYSTRA Project website
- Project profile : Short presentation on two pages.
- Summary of a short: A compact presentation of the results on 15 pages.
- Project Final Report : A detailed presentation of the research results with 842 pages.
- Agent-based model (release follows)
