System level cost and environmental performance of integrated energy systems: An assessment of low-carbon scenarios for the UK

摘要

Driven by the need for actions to successfully fight and prevent the consequences of climate change, the concept of integrated energy (or multi-energy) systems is receiving increasing interest across the world. This concept includes optimal integration of multiple energy infrastructures such as for electricity heat, gas, and so on, partial electrification of heat and transport, and a shift of energy sources from fossil fuels to renewables. However, while several low-carbon integrated energy scenarios are being proposed, there is often a lack of clear assessment of their true cost and environmental performance when also considering the multi-energy infrastructure implications. In this light, this paper investigates the system performance of different UK future scenarios that have been proposed for 2035 from technical, environmental and economic points of view. To do so, a model that can simulate these different future scenarios with detailed analyses of the integrated energy interactions has been created in the EnergyPLAN tool. In addition, in order to truly understand the infrastructure techno-economic implications, which are often overlooked or not dealt with in sufficient depth, EnergyPLAN has been coupled to a tailor-made tool that assesses multi-energy (electricity, heat and gas) infrastructure requirements. The results are used to comprehensively illustrate the impact of integrated energy planning strategies with a broad range of low carbon technologies.