Modeling of Consumption and Generation Dynamics in socio-technical Energy Systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sebastian Lehnhoff
• Subject Area: Electrical Energy Systems, Power Management, Power Electronics, Electrical Machines and Drives
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 409628680

This project is part of a packet of three individual projects working seamlessly together to investigate different aspects of modelling and optimizing the multi-layer socio-technical energy system as well as its transformation processes.The term "multi-layer system" reflects the various dimensions of the interconnected technical as well as social systems. The technical system spans multiple distribution and transmission levels with connected generation and consumption units of different sizes and capacities. It also spans various energy sectors, e.g. power, gas and heat.The social system encompasses short- as well as long-term planning and decision processes by individuals, companies and even politics.The overarching approach of this research project is to model the multiple and complex interdependencies using multi-agent systems in order to analyse the interactions in such socio-technical systems. Following a modular approach, robust transformation as well as optimization steps in the direction of an efficient and sustainable energy system - based on renewable energies - are to be identified.Based on relevant preliminary work by the applicants, who have been researching multi-agent systems in the technical as well as social domain, a holistic interdisciplinary model shall be developed and explored. The major novelty is to reproduce and analyse socio-technical phenomena and interdependencies. The project at hand defines and concretises the agent-based model for reproducing individual user decisions when operating flexible devices in the context of demand side management/demand response scenarios. Here, individuals are presented with (monetary) incentives to shift duty cycles or switch on/off consumption devices. The reaction to these incentives is hard to predict since it significantly depends on various social aspects. Thus the success of these scenarios depends on a proper understanding of the complex interactions in socio-technical systems.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Partner Organisation: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF)
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Claudia Binder