Digital Decarbonization: Achieving climate targets with a technology-neutral approach

Foreword by Dr. Hubertus Bardt, Managing Director and Head of Science of the German Economic Institute
Foreword by Michael Bourque, Innovation Director at Emera & NB Power Research Centre for Smart Grid Technologies, University of New Brunswick, Canada
Foreword by Professor Holger Hanselka, President of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), coordinator of the research unit Energy, and Vice President of the Helmholtz Association
Foreword by Dr. Peter Körte, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, Siemens AG
Foreword by Dr. Stefan Küppers, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Westenergie AG
Foreword by Dr. Felix Chr. Matthes, Research Coordinator Energy & Climate Policy at the Oeko-Institute
Foreword by Malcolm McCulloch, Associate Professor in Engineering Science and Group Leader of the Energy and Power Group at the University of Oxford
Preface
Contents
Abbreviations
1 Decarbonization as a Strategic Issue
	Abstract
	1.1	Climate Protection—The Global Challenge
		1.1.1	Climate Policy Initiatives at a Glance
		1.1.2	Status Quo—Where Do We Stand at the Beginning of the Third Decade?
	1.2	Megatrends of the Global Energy System Transformation
		1.2.1	Decarbonization
		1.2.2	Digitalization
		1.2.3	Decentralization
	1.3	Decarbonization as Strategic Linchpin
	1.4	Achieving the Climate Goals with a Technology-Neutral Approach
		1.4.1	Established Decarbonization Measures
		1.4.2	Technology Neutrality and Process-Related Decarbonization Methods
2 Facets of Decarbonization
	Abstract
	2.1	Drivers of Decarbonization [WHY]
		2.1.1	Societal Expectations
			2.1.1.1 Climate Protection
			2.1.1.2 Responsibility
			2.1.1.3 Sustainable Urbanity
		2.1.2	Economic Considerations
			2.1.2.1 Energy Demand
			2.1.2.2 Energy Costs
			2.1.2.3 Infrastructure
		2.1.3	Technical Framework Conditions
			2.1.3.1 Energy Technology
			2.1.3.2 Value Creation Processes
		2.1.4	Exogenous Shocks—The COVID-19 Pandemic as an Example
	2.2	Fields of Action for the Transition to a Low-Emission Economy [WHERE]
		2.2.1	Business Strategy
		2.2.2	Operational Processes
		2.2.3	Governance and Public Engagement
	2.3	Technology Fields of Decarbonisation [WHERE]
		2.3.1	Renewable Energies and Energy Management
			2.3.1.1 Decarbonizing an Energy System in Three Phases
			2.3.1.2 Transition from Phase 2 to Phase 3
		2.3.2	Storage Solutions
		2.3.3	Sector Coupling
	2.4	Target Vision Decarbonization [WHICH]
		2.4.1	Target Visions Provide Orientation for Decarbonization
		2.4.2	Target Vision of Technology-Neutral Decarbonization
		2.4.3	Derived Fields of Action for Technology-Neutral Decarbonization
3 Alternative Course of Action: Digital Decarbonization
	Abstract
	3.1	Energy Flows as an Underestimated Lever
	3.2	Cross-Sector Modeling of Innovative Technology Options
		3.2.1	Objective Function
		3.2.2	System Model of Energy Demands
		3.2.3	System Model for Energy Conversion Plants
		3.2.4	System Model for Energy Transport Infrastructure
		3.2.5	System Model for Energy Saving Measures
		3.2.6	System Model for Structural Adjustments in Industry
		3.2.7	System Model for CO2-negative Technologies
	3.3	The Idea of Data-Based Decarbonization
		3.3.1	Global Geodatabase for Energy Systems
			3.3.1.1 Energy Demand—Consumption Profiles and Spatial Distribution
			3.3.1.2 Installed Generation Capacities and Expansion Corridors
			3.3.1.3 Generation Profiles from Renewable Resources
		3.3.2	Database on Technologies and Their Developments
		3.3.3	Regulatory Boundary Conditions and Scenario Frameworks
		3.3.4	Challenges and Development Potential
			3.3.4.1 Modeling Depth and Parameter Uncertainties
			3.3.4.2 Automated Data Acquisition and Data Preparation
4 Decarbonization Through Data-Based Optimization
	Abstract
	4.1	Introduction to the Modeling Methodology
		4.1.1	Defining the Object of Consideration
		4.1.2	Requirements for the Optimization Method
		4.1.3	Linear Programming
		4.1.4	Digital Decarbonization Method
		4.1.5	Underlying Assumptions and Limitations of the Method
		4.1.6	Further Aspects and Literature References
		4.1.7	Implementation
		4.1.8	Focus: Modeling CO2 Emissions and General Considerations Concerning the Decarbonization of Energy Systems
	4.2	Digital Decarbonization as Part of an Analysis and Consulting Project
	4.3	From Energy System Design Consulting to Optimized Operation
5 Macro View Including Use Cases
	Abstract
	5.1	Decisive Aspects of Macromodeling
		5.1.1	Climate Goals and Technology Neutrality Approach
		5.1.2	Migration Paths and Time Frame Under Consideration
		5.1.3	Security of Supply
	5.2	The Role of Sector Coupling in Achieving Climate Goals—Example Germany
		5.2.1	Scenario Framework and Sensitivities
		5.2.2	Levers for Cost-Minimized Decarbonization
		5.2.3	Results Electricity Sector
		5.2.4	Results Heating Sector
		5.2.5	Results Transport Sector
		5.2.6	Discussion and Evaluation of the Results
	5.3	Comparison of Selected Country Energy Systems
		5.3.1	Renewables in Middle East Countries Dominated by Oil and Gas Exports
			5.3.1.1 Motivation and Characteristic Properties
			5.3.1.2 Scenarios
			5.3.1.3 Results
		5.3.2	How Renewable Expansion Reverses Energy Flows—Taking South Africa as an Example
			5.3.2.1 Motivation of Regionally Resolved Modeling
			5.3.2.2 Methodology for Identifying Regional Clusters
			5.3.2.3 Case Study of Regionalized Decarbonization at the Example of South Africa
		5.3.3	Renewables in Countries with Moderate Generation Potential—Example Malaysia
			5.3.3.1 Motivation and Characteristic Properties
			5.3.3.2 Scenarios
			5.3.3.3 Results
		5.3.4	Energy System Archetypes
			5.3.4.1 Motivation
			5.3.4.2 Methodology for the Identification of Archetypes
			5.3.4.3 Description of the Energy System Archetypes in Comparison with Neighboring Geographic-Economic Regions
			5.3.4.4 Modeling the Archetypes in an Energy System Optimization Model
			5.3.4.5 Discussion of the Potential and Limitations of Archetypes
6 Micro View Including Use Cases
	Abstract
	6.1	Special Features of Digital Decarbonization in Micro-Level Use Cases
	6.2	First Application of the Digital Decarbonization Method at Micro Level Using the Example of an Airport in the United States
		6.2.1	Introduction, Scenarios and Assumptions
		6.2.2	Results and Discussion
	6.3	Significance of Regulation Using a Dairy as an Example
		6.3.1	Introduction, Assumptions and Scenarios
		6.3.2	Results and Discussion
	6.4	How the Decarbonization of Urban Heat Supply Can Suceed
		6.4.1	Introduction to Urban Heat Supply in Germany
		6.4.2	Technologies to Decarbonize District Heating
		6.4.3	Sites in the Technology-Neutral View
		6.4.4	Results and Discussion
	6.5	Concluding Remarks on the Micro-Level Cases
7 Perspective on “Fewer Greenhouse Gases”: Closing Considerations
	Abstract
References
Index