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Simplify Network

Simplify Network#

Rule simplify_network#

Aggregates network to substations and simplifies to a single voltage level.

Rule cluster_network#

Creates networks clustered to {cluster} number of zones with aggregated buses, generators and transmission corridors.

Relevant Settings

clustering:
  cluster_network:
  aggregation_strategies:

focus_weights:

solving:
    solver:
        name:

lines:
    length_factor:

See also

Documentation of the configuration file config/config.yaml at renewable, solving, lines

Inputs

Outputs

  • resources/regions_onshore_elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.geojson:

  • resources/regions_offshore_elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.geojson:

  • resources/busmap_elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.csv: Mapping of buses from networks/elec_s{simpl}.nc to networks/elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.nc;

  • resources/linemap_elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.csv: Mapping of lines from networks/elec_s{simpl}.nc to networks/elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.nc;

  • networks/elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.nc:

Description

Note

Why is clustering used both in simplify_network and cluster_network ?

Consider for example a network networks/elec_s100_50.nc in which simplify_network clusters the network to 100 buses and in a second step cluster_network` reduces it down to 50 buses.

In preliminary tests, it turns out, that the principal effect of changing spatial resolution is actually only partially due to the transmission network. It is more important to differentiate between wind generators with higher capacity factors from those with lower capacity factors, i.e. to have a higher spatial resolution in the renewable generation than in the number of buses.

The two-step clustering allows to study this effect by looking at networks like networks/elec_s100_50m.nc. Note the additional m in the {cluster} wildcard. So in the example network there are still up to 100 different wind generators.

In combination these two features allow you to study the spatial resolution of the transmission network separately from the spatial resolution of renewable generators.

Is it possible to run the model without the simplify_network rule?

No, the network clustering methods in the PyPSA module pypsa.clustering.spatial do not work reliably with multiple voltage levels and transformers.

Tip

The rule cluster_networks runs for all scenario s in the configuration file the rule cluster_network.

Rule add_extra_componenets#

Adds extra extendable components to the clustered and simplified network.

Relevant Settings

costs:
    year:
    version:
    dicountrate:
    emission_prices:

electricity:
    max_hours:
    marginal_cost:
    capital_cost:
    extendable_carriers:
        StorageUnit:
        Store:

See also

Documentation of the configuration file config.yaml at costs, electricity

Inputs

  • resources/costs.csv: The database of cost assumptions for all included technologies for specific years from various sources; e.g. discount rate, lifetime, investment (CAPEX), fixed operation and maintenance (FOM), variable operation and maintenance (VOM), fuel costs, efficiency, carbon-dioxide intensity.

Outputs

  • networks/elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}_ec.nc:

Description

The rule add_extra_components attaches additional extendable components to the clustered and simplified network. These can be configured in the config.yaml at electricity: extendable_carriers:. It processes networks/elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}.nc to build networks/elec_s{simpl}_{clusters}_ec.nc, which in contrast to the former (depending on the configuration) contain with zero initial capacity

  • StorageUnits of carrier ‘H2’ and/or ‘battery’. If this option is chosen, every bus is given an extendable StorageUnit of the corresponding carrier. The energy and power capacities are linked through a parameter that specifies the energy capacity as maximum hours at full dispatch power and is configured in electricity: max_hours:. This linkage leads to one investment variable per storage unit. The default max_hours lead to long-term hydrogen and short-term battery storage units.

  • Stores of carrier ‘H2’ and/or ‘battery’ in combination with Links. If this option is chosen, the script adds extra buses with corresponding carrier where energy Stores are attached and which are connected to the corresponding power buses via two links, one each for charging and discharging. This leads to three investment variables for the energy capacity, charging and discharging capacity of the storage unit.

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