oemof_heat

In the course of Germany’s energy transition markets for electricity and heat are merging at an increasing rate. Here, sector coupling is an important key for the integration of renewable energy, for example when energy production surpluses are utilized via power-to-heat technology. Especially in economic considerations and sustainable investment decisions, approaches taking into account both heat and electricity sectors must be developed. Thereby, simulation and optimization procedures can envelope the full scope of energy systems. Currently, individual components for the modelling of heat supply systems are integrated into the open energy modelling framework (oemof). In various projects the framework serves to answer scientific issues regarding the heat sector’s energy transition. The project oemof_heat will continue this development to realize the integration of the heat sector extensively.
Thus, the project oemof_heat is to facilitate the further development of the existing open-source framework oemof as a flexible tool for modeling complex heat supply scenarios and in regard to questions across different sectors. The focus lies on heat supply networks, thermal energy storages and process heating.

The aim is to integrate the heat sector with all relevant components in oemof in order to enable the analysis of relevant questions with regard to the heat transition and under consideration of the entire system. For this purpose, existing components must be upgraded and new modular calculation blocks will be developed. Finally, we will be able to provide a validated, publicly available calculation tool which will be already applied within the project’s duration to analyze, optimize and publish relevant scientific issues regarding the heat transition. With respect to the Open-Science Philosophy, the project will make consistent use of Open Source technology and Open Data. The results will be published under corresponding licenses. In addition, intermediate stages will be published on the OpenEnergy Platform and discussed with the Open Energy Modelling (openmod) Community.

RLI is responsible for the following tasks within the project:

• Definition of practical heat supply systems and scenarios
• Implementation of these systems and scenarios in modeling components and calculation functions
• Special investigation into district heating networks, thermal energy storages, and process heat applications
• Improvement and development of approaches for modelling thermal energy storages under consideration of different temperature levels
• Simulation and optimization of defined systems and scenarios
• Publication of input data, scenarios, and results on the OpenEnergy Platform
• Discussion of intermediate steps and results in accordance to values of Open-Science
• Integration of oemof users through the use of documentation, online forums, and workshops

Associated partners:

Research at RLI is supported by the Reiner Lemoine Foundation.