EmPowerPlan+

Project description

In this project, scientists at the Reiner Lemoine Institute are further developing the digital planning tool EmPowerPlan, which was originally developed in the predecessor project EmPowerPlan. The aim is to make the existing EmPowerPlan tool more user-friendly, flexible and transferable so that it can also be used for other regions. In addition, the planning of ground-mounted photovoltaics (PV) and agri-PV, i.e. the use of agricultural production areas for the generation of solar energy, is to be made easier.

Expansion for supra-regional use

The EmPowerPlan tool links a wide range of data, visualizes potential and allows the energy system to be optimized based on individual scenarios. In the Oderland-Spree region of Brandenburg, it provides data-based and transparent support for updating the sub-regional plan for renewable energies. The tool is to be expanded in this project so that it can be transferred to other regions and used nationwide.

Accessibility and stakeholder involvement

A central goal of this project is to simplify the operation of the EmPowerPlan tool. To this end, the project team is developing so-called wizards – interactive assistants that guide users step by step through complex processes or settings. The aim is to integrate more complex stakeholder requirements. It will also enable stakeholders to update the tool themselves so that it remains up to date and can be used in the long term.

Participation and exchange

The open source tool is intended to create visibility for the energy transition. The tool also provides stakeholders with a basis for argumentation to participate in planning processes and discussions. This project thus promotes exchange between science, business, politics and civil society.

Project period: July 2025 – December 2025