COMET: Co-simulation of Multi-Energy Systems for Energy Transition

Abstract

The ongoing energy transition to reduce carbon emissions presents some of the most formidable challenges the energy sector has ever experienced, requiring a paradigm change that involves diverse players and heterogeneous concerns, including regulations, economic drivers, societal, and environmental aspects. Central to this transition is the adoption of integrated Multi-Energy Systems (MES) to efficiently produce, distribute, store, and convert energy among different vectors. A deep understanding of MES is fundamental to harness the potential for energy savings and foster energy transition towards a low carbon future. Unfortunately, the inherent complexity of MES makes them extremely difficult to analyze, understand, design and optimize. This work proposes a digital twin co-simulation platform that provides a structured basis to design, develop and validate novel solutions and technologies for multi-energy system. The platform will enable the definition of a virtual representation of the real-world (digital twin) as a composition of models (co-simulation) that analyze the environment from multiple viewpoints and at different spatio-temporal scales.