INFORSE (International Network for Sustainable Energy) has an energy balancing model for national energy-systems developed in 2002 by the network [1]. It is currently not for sale to external users, but instead is distributed to non-governmental organisations (NGO). To use the program requires between two and four weeks of training.
The model consists of linked spreadsheets which are used to input the details of the energy system being modelled. These include details about energy production, energy demand, energy trends and energy policies. All thermal, renewable, hydrogen, and transport technologies are considered with the following exceptions: tidal, PHES, CAES, BES, and V2G. The results from INFORSE give an overview for the possible energy-development for a country or region, by providing an energy balance for every decade simulated, illustrating the potential use of renewable energy and identifying trends in energy efficiency and energy services and energy policies entered into the model. The costs in the model include an overall energy cost and CO2 costs. The maximum period that can be simulated is 100 years.
The model has been used to simulate the potential utilisation of renewable energy by 2050 for a number of countries including: Belarus, Bulgaria, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and the UK as well as a 100% renewable energy-system for Denmark by 2030. These studies can be read on the INFORSE homepage [1].
References
- Vision 2050: Visions for a Renewable Energy World, INFORSE-Europe, 25th April 2009, http://www.inforse.org/europe/Vision2050.htm
