The project

Coupling energy systems requires a detailed planning process

France’s objective to decarbonise its economy relies significantly on the large-scale integration of renewable energies, as well as the electrification of end-uses (transport, industrial processes, etc.). This implies enhancing the coupling of energy vectors (electricity, methane, hydrogen, heat) and end-uses.

If well designed and implemented, sector coupling can leverage significant flexibility to support the operation of electricity systems. Conversely, if stakeholders are poorly coordinated, operating the electricity network can become more challenging.

Sector coupling therefore requires a detailed planning, with:

  • an adaptation of our planning tools and methodologies,

  • a refined understanding of certain system components, particularly those at the interface between two energy carriers.

The vectors involved in sector coupling
(source: Frontier Economics)

PlaneTerr’s ambition

The project has three complementary objectives:

1

Improving the modelling of specific components with promising flexibility potential and role to play in coupled energy systems.

This modelling encompasses electric vehicle charging, industrial heat production and associated thermal storage, gas linepack, electrolysis, multi-energy consumption in the residential sector, long-term storage, and reserve mechanisms.

2

Integrating these new models into a simulation and planning tool for multi-energy systems, covering all energy vectors, with open access, modularity, and the ability to combine operation and investment.

This tool is based on the Antares software developed by RTE, designed to carry out multi-energy adequacy and planning studies using a multi-scenario approach.

études de planification

To that end, PlaneTerr is developing:

  • a high-level, user-friendly language called GEMS, to create and modify energy system components without need for coding
  • a method to reduce computational time for simulations, which is a critical feature in view of industrialising the tool.

3

Demonstrating the flexibility contribution of modelled components by simulating the behaviour of present and future energy systems, and through multi-energy planning studies.

The simulation studies will validate individual component modelling, focusing on:

  • the technical and economic conditions for industrial heat storage with TTE,
  • hydrogen production systems with Air Liquide,
  • gas linepack and CO₂ chain with NATRAN.

The planning studies aim to determine the flexibility capacities of a system, identify the conditions for implementing sector coupling, and explore the associated challenges.

Stockage Thermique
Ressources et planning projet

Resources and project timeline

The project began in September 2023 and will run for four years.
Its budget amounts to approximately €11.5 million and will require around 15 full-time personnel, including four PhD supervised by the PERSEE centre at MINES Paris PSL.

France 2030 Programme

The project is co-financed by the Government under the France 2030 plan, administered by ADEME.