On November 17th we could finally initiate the broader discussion on the collaboration between the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy Technology Systems Analysis Program (ETSAP) and the Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Program.
Multi-sector coupling holds the potential for increasing flexibility. But what are the beneficial and detrimental impacts of system flexibilisation, and how can we assess and anticipate them?
The objective of this IEA Bioenergy, IEA ETSAP and IEA Hydrogen collaboration is to exchange modelling experiences and perspectives on the multi-faceted aspects of flexibility. A bioenergy supply chain can be an intricate and networked affair: Flexibility can often be found throughout the chain, in feedstock sourcing, pre-treatment, storage, distribution, and conversion into heat, power, and fuels (see Schipfer et al. [1]). While hydrogen supply and utilisation from feedstock-independent renewables might be a less complex endeavour, respective impact assessment is not straightforward either. For example, energy storage at different time scales, inter-sectoral synergies and tradeoffs, and contributions to energy security must be accounted for (see Quarton et al. [2]). Also, system complexification through integration, sector-, and multi-sector coupling boosts systemic risks, encompassing safety concerns, security vulnerabilities, and the potential for cascading failures (see Reed et al.[3]).
[1] Schipfer, F., Mäki, E., Schmieder, U., Lange, N., Schildhauer, T., Hennig, C., Thrän, D., 2022. Status of and expectations for flexible bioenergy to support resource efficiency and to accelerate the energy transition. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 158, 112094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112094
[2] Quarton, C.J., Tlili, O., Welder, L., Mansilla, C., Blanco, H., Heinrichs, H., Leaver, J., Samsatli, N.J., Lucchese, P., Robinius, M., Samsatli, S., 2019. The curious case of the conflicting roles of hydrogen in global energy scenarios. Sustainable Energy Fuels 4, 80–95. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00833K
[3] Reed PM, Hadjimichael A, Moss RH, Brelsford C, Burleyson CD, Cohen S, et al. Multisector Dynamics: Advancing the Science of Complex Adaptive Human-Earth Systems. Earth’s Future 2022;10:e2021EF002621. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EF002621.