Balmorel is a partial equilibrium model for simultaneous optimization of
generation, transmission and consumption of electricity and heat under the
assumption of perfectly competitive markets. The model finds the optimal way to
satisfy the energy demand maximizing social welfare, consumers' utility minus
producers' cost of electricity and district heat generation, storage,
transmission and distribution; subject to technical, physical and regulatory
constraints.
Balmorel is written in the GAMS (General Algebraic Modeling System)
modelling language and built in a generic, extensible modular structure.
The Balmorel core model is linear, but mixed-integer modelling may be
applied, e.g. in order to represent economies of scale and unit commitment.
The model is data-driven and has a high degree of flexibility with respect
to temporal and spatial options. Time might be defined chronologically in three
layers, while the basic time unit (e.g., two-hours, hour, half-hour, etc.) is
not predefined in the structure of the model. Concerning space, it is divided
into three hierarchical geographical entities. The level of detail of the
temporal and spatial dimensions will be user-defined.
The supply side consists of various generation technologies, whose
planned capacity, commissioning and decommissioning is defined exogenously. Balmorel
core structure is shown below.
There are two types of storage implemented in Balmorel: short-term
storages of electricity and heat and long-term storages of electricity, heat
and hydrological reservoirs. All storages are limited by storage dynamics.
Energy balance constraints ensure that energy supply equals demand at
every time segment and geographical entity. The equilibrium condition provides
energy commodity prices for all geographical entities and time segments. The
optimal solution is found along with associated dual variables, or shadow
prices.
The Balmorel model can be run in four different modes, which vary with
respect to the optimization period and whether endogenous investments are
allowed. In all model modes, the complete model horizon (the whole time period
that is modelled) can include multiple optimization periods.
The main strengths of the model when contributing to analyses of future
energy challenges is that it is flexible both in terms of aggregation of time
and space and also in terms of representation of technologies and policy
measures.
Here is the model homepage.
Balmorel model has an ISC license under which it is distributed. Code has already the permissive ISC license. A license.txt - file is included in the model files.
https://opensource.org/licenses/ISC