By Alex Felice, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
The REFORMERS project aims to transform Local Energy Systems (LES) into Renewable Energy Valleys (REV), where local renewable energy sources fully meet energy needs for electricity, heating, cooling, and transport on an annual basis. Achieving this requires advanced planning, and energy modelling plays a crucial role in ensuring that renewable systems can meet these goals efficiently. Energy modelling involves simulating energy systems to predict how they will perform under different conditions. Within REFORMERS, it helps optimise the integration of local renewable energy sources like solar and wind to match demand patterns in the community. These models allow stakeholders to evaluate how well different technologies can perform in terms of cost, efficiency, and reliability.
Strategic Energy Modelling for Renewable Energy sources
For REFORMERS, energy modelling is crucial in addressing the intermittent nature of renewable sources like solar and wind. By simulating energy supply and demand throughout the year, it helps design systems that can meet local needs without relying heavily on external sources. Energy storage is part of the solution, but other factors, such as integrating heat pumps for clean heating and electric vehicles for decarbonizing transport, also play a key role. Energy models guide investments in renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring resources are directed toward the most effective solutions. In REFORMERS, modelling helps assess the performance of technologies like heat pumps and EV charging infrastructure, showing how these systems can contribute to a decarbonised future. The models also simulate scenarios for achieving 75% self-consumption by matching local production with demand, reducing dependence on external grids and lowering energy costs. By exploring different energy production, storage, and consumption configurations, these models provide critical insights that inform decisions on where to invest and how to maximise efficiency.
Energy Modeling: The Key Solution for Energy Self-Sufficiency and a more Sustainable Europe
REFORMERS is developing a blueprint for local energy systems that can achieve 100% renewable energy production, while minimising costs and maximising self-consumption. Energy modelling is at the heart of this transformation, offering the tools to balance intermittent renewables with the needs of the local community. By using these models, REFORMERS will be able to scale up renewable energy production, integrate storage and energy management solutions, and guide investment in sustainable technologies. Ultimately, this will help achieve the EU’s broader goals of reducing reliance on imported fuels and cutting carbon emissions, while creating a replicable model for other communities across Europe.
Visit the project website at www.reformers-energyvalleys.eu and follow their social media page on LinkedIn for latest updates, or get in contact at info@reformers-energyvalleys.eu