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EMF Energy Modelling Forum

Completed Project

Project Management

Claudia Kemfert

In Cooperation With

Stanford University

Since the 1970s the Energy Modeling Forum brings together experts in energy and climate economics to discuss long-run trends. The core of each EMF study is a working group of modelers that analyse a specific topic. The topic is defined at the beginning of a 1-3 year-long study and several model teams are then invited to participate in the study. In addition to the modelers, policy experts and model users are invited to the working groups. The study participants are from academia as well as private industry and public institutions. The aim of the Energy Modeling Forum is the improvement as well as a better understanding of energy and climate models. DIW Berlin has participated in several EMF studies for many years.

Currently, DIW Berlin participates in the EMF working group 28 on "The Effects of Technology Choices on EU Climate Policy". The EMF 28 study is a companion study to similar global and US model comparison studies. It focuses on the effects of technology choices and technology availability on climate policy. The EMF 28 study concentrates on the European policy context in particular the EU 2020 and 2050 climate targets, given the goals of the EU Energy Roadmap until 2050. Key research questions are: What would the EU energy system transition look like to meet EU emissions reductions goals in 2020 and 2050, as laid out in the EU climate and energy package (20% emissions reductions, 20% renewable energy, 20% primary energy demand reduction) and the 2050 roadmap of the EC? What is the interplay between the 2020 and 2050 targets? What are the implications and interactions of the mix of economic and regulatory instruments that are proposed to achieve the emissions targets? How might technological improvements and technological availability influence the system transformation? Will there be sufficient transport infrastructure (electricity, natural gas, carbon) to accomodate the transition to a low-carbon energy system? The study is motivated by a desire to more clearly articulate the technology assumptions in models as one factor in understanding differences in model behavior.

Since 2014, DIW Berlin has participated in the working group 31 "Modeling of North American natural gas and energy markets in transition". This working group investigates the impacts of the current "renaissance" of fossil energy in the US, in particular the shale gas book. DIW Berlin participates in analysing the effects on the international trade of natural gas (LNG), crude oil and oil products, as well as coal. The energy system and resource market model Multimod is used.

More information can be found on the EMF website

DIW Team

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