The challenge 

The power system of the future will be very different to today’s. The 1990s saw the start of a green power system, and the coming decades will be marked by a transition to a fossil-free energy system. To be able to understand the major and rapid changes in the energy system, it is important to establish how each part of the system behaves. Predicting the power system is vital to ensure secure operations and to make the right investment decisions for the future.

In a Nordic context, this means that the models we develop must be able to “understand” hydropower. Hydropower has a high value, but the fuel – the water – is free. In reservoir power plants the water can be either stored or used for generation. Renewable resources such as wind and solar power will be required to make the energy system emission-free. Since these energy sources cannot be managed in the same way as in thermal power plants, new sources of flexibility will be required. However, it is difficult to model such flexibility.

 

The project 

Statnett has already developed a model for the power market (FanSi), and the Rocket project represents a further development of this. Rocket will investigate and verify techniques to break down the optimisation achieved by the model into smaller parts. This will reduce the calculation period and enable us to achieve a faster variant of the FanSi model.

 

The goal 

The goal is to reduce the calculation time and develop the model for application in the sector. An improved model will enable Statnett to make better decisions around the transmission grid, and allow producers and others to make better decisions around power plants, consumption and other matters relating to the power system. Better decisions will result in more efficient utilisation of the energy system, and benefit society as a whole.

 

Project participants

  • Statnett 
  • SINTEF Energi 
  • Statkraft Energi 
  • The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) 

 

Funding 

  • The Research Council of Norway
  • Statnett
  • Statkraft 
  • The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE)