Modeling of decentralized energy supply structures with "system dynamics"

Like no other technical discipline, power engineering involves parameters from ecology, economics, politics and sociology. Accordingly, power engineering must be considered holistically as a system comprising technical, ecological economic, social and political influencing factors. Especially when introducing a new energy system such as decentralized energy supply, it is expedient to employ system-theoretical tools for investigating the structural characteristics and basic behavioural mechanisms and dynamics of such a complex system. Taking as example one cogeneration plant with a heat accumulator and a peak load boiler as well as the decentralized energy supply as a new energy system this paper points out the significance of "system dynamics" as a modeling concept. "System dynamics" is used as a simulation and planning instrument for the energy supply industry. The various applications distinguish the advantages of "system dynamics", particularly in the energy supply field, in thinking in terms of conceptual system research for accompanying social-political or technical processes in the transition to a new energy supply system, potential investigations and for assisting decision making procedures on the management level. The models of a decentralized energy supply unit and the new energy system are presented shortly. The possibilities and applications associated with the models are described briefly. In particular this is important for enterprises of the energy supply industry which occupy themselves with decentralized energy supply as a business model