Net-zero emissions in Kuwait

Energy Modelling Lab helps reaching net-zero emissions in Kuwait

Kuwait is becoming one of the hottest countries on the planet and faces profound social and ecological challenges from continued global warming and the global transition away from fossil fuels. The government has pledged to reach net-zero emissions in the oil and gas sector by 2050 and by 2060 for the whole country.

At present, oil accounts for 90 % of the national revenue and more than half of GDP and renewable energy for less than 1 % of demand. Kuwait thus needs clever and comprehensive solutions. With abundant wind and solar resources, the potential is at hand.

Energy Modelling Lab supports steps to reach net-zero emissions in Kuwait by 2060. We are developing an energy modelling framework that allows us to identify the least-cost and most feasible green energy systems. Based on these results we are able to designate pathways to integrate the new solutions across five key-sectors: Energy, Industry, Agriculture, Land-Use, and Waste.

Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING

Energy Modelling Lab develops a database for energy and GHG emissions, build consensus on ambitions and shortlist decarbonization options.

We develop an energy model featuring different scenarios including rapid expansion of renewable fuel market and reduced exports.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS

Analysing the different scenarios allows for informed decision making on the optimal solutions integrated across sectors.

Socioeconomic and environmental impacts and co-benefits such as improved health are identified and considered.

RESULTS

Results are presented in a website format with open access and all key results shared in excel sheets.

Users can move between scenarios and study results like emissions and energy consumption by sector and costs.


Duration: August 2022 – June 2024

EML TeamMikkel Bosack Simonsen, Ida Græsted Jensen

Client: UNEP

Collaborators: SDA Sustainable Development Advisors

Model: TIMES

Low emission strategy in Jordan

Solar energy in Jordan. Energy Modelling Lab is assisting to develop a low emission strategy for Jordan.

Jordan is considered to be among the world’s most vulnerable to drought as a result of climate change. Major challenges are aridity, water scarcity, heavy reliance on fossil energy imports and rapid growth in population and urbanization.

The government is now addressing the need for a transition to a greener and more resilient economy. One important step is developing a National Long Term Low Emission Strategy and Options Report 2050.

Energy Modelling Lab is contributing to develop a low emission strategy in Jordan. We are creating a central modelling framework representing eight key sectors and their interconnections. By embedding baseline scenarios, we can estimate the impact of different options for decarbonization. We then create a shortlist of the least cost and most feasible options and are able to designate the optimal pathways.

Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING
Energy Modelling Lab shortlists decarbonization options, identifies cross-sector synergies and develops an integrated model.

The model includes a full investment catalogue for the entire energy sector and shows the economically optimal pathways through the jungle of technological solutions.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS
Through a series of scenarios, we can investigate the consequences of different climate scenarios and consider prioritized mitigation actions.

We also identify and consider socioeconomic and environmental impacts and co-benefits such as improved health and energy savings.

REPORT
The final report proposes optimal decarbonization pathways and provides policy recommendations that are validated through workshops with key stake holders.

The Jordanian Government will have a solid basis for a continuously informed decision process as we will build up local partner capacity to use and update the model.


Duration: August 2022 – June 2024

EML Team: Kenneth Karlsson, Mikkel Bosack Simonsen, Ida Græsted Jensen 

Client: The World Bank

Collaborators: Danish Energy Management (DEM) and the Water, Energy and Environment

Center (WEEC) of University of Jordan

Model: TIMES

New biogas module

Biogas plays an important role in the Danish energy system. That is why it is important to have a detailed representation of both existing and potential biogas technologies in the TIMES models.

Energy Modelling Lab has developed a new detailed biogas module in collaboration with The Danish Energy Agency.

Maabjerg Bioenergy in Holstebro is one of the 89 existing Danish biogas plants that has been modeled in the new biogas module.

The biogas module contains both existing and new plants

The model can now utilize the 89 existing biogas plants in Denmark, and it can choose to invest in new biogas plants, when searching for solutions to cover our future energy demand.

Each plant can take classic biomasses such as manure or straw as input and generates both biogas and a fiber fraction, which can be utilized in for example pyrolysis processes. But the model is also ready to use new types of biomass like seaweed in future biogas plants.

The biogas plants in the module can each take different types of biomass as input and turn it into biogas and a fiber fraction. In the process there is a methane (CH4) leakage depending on the age of the biogas plants.

Restrictions and regulation

A couple restrictions have been added to the biogas plants. In this way the model results become more realistic:


Project period: September 2022 – December 2022

EML TeamIda Græsted Jensen and Alexandra O’Sullivan Freltoft

ClientDanish Energy Agency

Model: IntERACT (TIMES framework)

Future heating & cooling in Dublin

The possibilities for sustainable heating and cooling are many, but where is central heating the best option? And what local heat sources are available in different areas? These are some of the questions we are going to help answer in Dublin.

In the future Dublin will be heated by recycling thermal energy. Photo: Salim Darwiche (Wikipedia Commons)

A cool collaboration

Energy Modelling Lab has joined the TEN21 project. Here we are going to help cities all over Europe deliver climate friendly thermal energy.

TEN21 consists of a strong team. Firstly energy modelers build a digital version of the heat system. Thereafter we use the model output to create net zero scenarios. Finally investment experts step in to ensure the plans can become reality. This ensures the entire development path from early planning to financing the implementation.

Sewage as part of the future heating and cooling?

If you want to learn more about recycling heat from for example sewage, metros, and datacenters, then go to TEN21.eu.

This is an example of a thermal energy network. Here, waste from several sources is recycled as heating for public buildings. You can read more at TEN21.eu.
Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING DUBLIN
We develop an optimization model within the TIMES-framework.

First and foremost covers the heat and power sector in Dublin. But this model has an especially high level of detail.

NEUTRAL SCENARIOS
Energy Modelling Lab is developing a series of CO2-neutral scenarios for cooling and heating in Dublin.

In this way we can find the perfect fit for each district.


Duration: April 2021 – ongoing

Project: TEN21

Energy Modelling Lab Contact: Kenneth Karlsson

Clean Nordic shipping

With a combined coastline of 43.000 km trading and travelling by sea is essential in the Nordic countries.

Finding the optimal route to a green future for shipping

The maritime industry is facing a challenging green transition, diverting away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources.

There are many possible paths to a sustainable Nordic shipping industry, and this project aims to investigate which low carbon technologies are the most promising in the green transition.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS
Through a series of scenario studies, the Nordic energy model (ON-TIMES) is used to find the optimal paths to a fossil free shipping industry.

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
The project has a special focus on hydrogen and fuel cells in relation to the other low carbon options.


Duration: November 2021 – February 2023

EML team: Kenneth Karlsson, Andrea Marin RadoszynskiAlexandra O’Sullivan Freltoft

Partners: IVL – Svenska Miljöinstitutet

Model: The Open Nordic TIMES model (ON-TIMES) can be found open source in our GitHub repository.

Energy strategy in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan means the land of fire and energy resources as natural gas simply sets the country on fire. As the country moves forward new investments in energy and infrastructure is needed.

To ensure an informed decision process Energy Modelling Lab has supported the Government of Azerbaijan in developing and implementing a long-term energy strategy.

Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING
Energy Modelling Lab has developed and implemented a full energy model (TIMES-AZ) for Azerbaijan, connecting all relevant sectors from energy and heating to transport and industry.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS
The model is used for long term energy system and climate policy planning.

TRAINING
Energy Modelling Lab is supporting the Government of Azerbaijan with training in the use of the energy system model.


Duration: November 2020 – November 2021

Team: Kenneth Karlsson, Mikkel Bosack Simonsen, Till ben Brahim & Andrea Marin Radoszynski

Client: Government of Azerbaijan

Model: TIMES-AZ


Energy outlook in Vietnam

The Vietnamese economy is growing, and so is the demand for energy. As the country moves forward new investments in clean energy and infrastructure is highly needed.

Energy Modelling Lab supports the Vietnamese government in developing and implementing a long-term energy strategy.

Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING
Energy Modelling Lab has further developed the transport sector in the energy systems model for Vietnam.

The model connects all relevant sectors from energy and heating to transport, industry, and health.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS
The model is used for long term energy system and climate policy planning. The scenarios show different paths to reach the Vietnamese government’s climate targets.

REPORT
The scenario results serve as a foundation in the development of the Vietnam Energy Outlook report, showing the path ahead for the Vietnamese energy system.


Implementation date: September 2020 – December 2021

EML Team: Ida Græsted Jensen and Till ben Brahim

Client: This project is part of the Framework contracts with Global Cooperation at the Danish Energy Agency

Collaborators: Ea Energy Analyses, Institute of Energy, E4SMA, Aarhus University

Model: TIMES

Nordic Clean Energy Scenarios

The project Nordic Clean Energy Scenarios aims at identifying technological solutions to a fully carbon neutral Nordic region. It further aims at developing energy scenarios for the Nordic energy sector enabling the Nordic commitment to reach carbon neutrality.

Collaborating on finding the right solutions

NCES2020 brings together nine teams from four Nordic countries, with complementing modelling and analytical skills. Combined with use of open access energy system models and data, this strengthens Nordic cooperation and expertise in energy modelling.

The path to neutrality

If you are curious to know more about the results, you can find the five solution tracks here. You can also listen to the podcast, read the full report, or dive straight into the results data.

Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING
Energy Modelling Lab has developed an open source energy model for the Nordic region (ON-TIMES).

The model covers Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS
The model is used to identify paths to a fully carbon neutral Nordic region.

Find the scenario results here.

REPORT
The results are collected in the Nordic Clean Energy Scenarios report.


Duration: March 2020 – April 2021.

Project: Nordic Clean Energy Scenarios

Energy Modelling Lab Contact: Kenneth Karlsson

Client: Energiforsk

Model: Open Nordic TIMES model (ON-TIMES)

Collaboration with Southern University of Denmark

Energy modelling lab provides TIMES modelling courses at the Southern university of Denmark (SDU). Furthermore, one of the students joined Energy Modelling Lab for an internship in the fall of 2021.

TIMES modelling course

The students gets an insight into the globally used energy system modelling tool TIMES. Further more the course dives into Danish model TIMES-DK to assess the Danish energy systems.

Projects made by the students

– Modelling of battery capacity in electric vehicles
– Energy islands in the Danish area of the North sea

Duration: Ongoing

Contact person EML: Mikkel Bosack Simonsen

Energy planning in Ukraine

The main objective of the project is to support Ukraine in planning for their future green energy system.

The project is part of a partnership program between Ukraine and Denmark, to achieve the goals of the Energy Strategy of Ukraine for 2050.

Building DK-BioRes

MODELLING
Improving and updating the Energy System Model for Ukraine (TIMES-Ukraine), to contain the newest trends and technologies.

SCENARIO ANALYSIS
The model is used for long term energy system and climate policy planning.

REPORT
Supporting the development of the Action Plan, showing the road towards national green house gas reductions in Ukraine.


Duration: September 2020 – April 2021

EML Team: Mikkel Bosack Simonsen

Client and collaborators: Danish Energy Agency, The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources in Ukraine

Model: TIMES-Ukraine