Energy System Modeling and Optimization

First in the context of the Global Climate and Energy Project and now as an integral part of the Benson Lab, Sally Benson has also been leading innovative energy systems research to assess different technology options for a low-carbon future. A series of analyses on different storage technologies paired with wind and solar power generated groundbreaking insights into the costs of electrochemical storage. These insights fostered recent efforts that include: assessment of the benefits and impact of community-level energy choices; optimization of the placement of renewable power generation in the California electricity system; evaluation of the impact of gas plants which use CCS on the power grid; and the optimization of grid-responsive district heating and cooling.

Broadly, the goals of this new research effort in the Benson Lab are to identify and optimize synergies between components of energy systems as well as to identify and optimize links between energy carriers such as electricity, heat, and fuels, and to explore the potential of flexible energy system components that can increase the security and affordability of our energy system. Especially interesting to us are ways to control greenhouse gas emissions by coordinating the operation and planning of energy systems across multiple geographical and temporal scales while providing reliable, cost-effective energy.