In the open_MODEX project, five open-source frameworks for energy system analysis are analyzed and compared. The aim is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the individual frameworks and to identify similarities, differences, and possible synergies between the frameworks. This will simplify the selection of suitable models for concrete research questions in the future.
Modeling frameworks are software that can be used to virtually simulate and model energy systems. Research results in the field of energy system research often originate from such calculations. Similar model approaches are developed again and again at different institutions, instead of bundling manpower and working together on a solid code basis. The aim of the RLI is therefore to develop modeling frameworks as open-source licensed software that can be viewed and edited by all interested parties. In the open_MODEX project, existing frameworks will be compared for the first time in an open research project.
These five open-source frameworks
are compared:
After an inventory of the existing frameworks, they are compared with each other in detail and tested against each other using a standardized modeling task. Subsequently, a common scenario analysis of all frameworks is created. We search specifically for differences and special features and test the manageability of the frameworks. We also want to identify hurdles for newcomers and formulate recommendations for their removal.
In addition to the content and mathematical comparison of functional scope and results with the same task and input data, the development of the frameworks and the type of further development and improvement will also be investigated. This should prevent parallel development of different open-source frameworks and make the frameworks usable for as large a community as possible. This will increase the transparency and robustness of the calculation results.
As much input data and results from open_MODEX as possible will also be made available for other projects under open licenses.
Project duration: January 2019 – December 2021