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An Energy Systems Modelling Tool for the Social Simulation Community

Author

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  • L. Andrew Bollinger
  • Martti J. van Blijswijk
  • Gerard P.J. Dijkema
  • Igor Nikolic

Abstract

The growing importance of links between the social and technical dimensions of the electricity infrastructure mean that many research problems cannot be effectively addressed without joint consideration of social and technical dynamics. This paper motivates the need for and introduces a tool to facilitate the development of linked social and technical models of electric power systems. The tool, called MatpowerConnect, enables the runtime linkage of Netlogo - an oft-used modelling platform in the social simulation domain - with Matpower - a common power flow simulation package in the power systems domain. MatpowerConnect opens up new modelling possibilities for social simulation researchers active in the study of electricity systems. It offers ease of use coupled with a high degree of realism with which electricity infrastructure functionality is captured. We describe the development and use of two demonstration models using MatpowerConnect. These models illustrate two types of problems and system scales that can be addressed. In the first model we explore the consequences of actors' adaptive strategies on the performance of a small-scale power system. In the second model we simulate the effects of different regulatory regimes on network investment in a supra-national electricity transmission system to explore the long-term consequences for network development and social welfare. In both cases, the extension enables capturing a critical functionality of electric power systems, while allowing model development efforts to focus on social simulation aspects. Resources for using the extension are provided in conjunction with this paper.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Andrew Bollinger & Martti J. van Blijswijk & Gerard P.J. Dijkema & Igor Nikolic, 2016. "An Energy Systems Modelling Tool for the Social Simulation Community," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 19(1), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:jas:jasssj:2015-20-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Verbong, Geert & Geels, Frank, 2007. "The ongoing energy transition: Lessons from a socio-technical, multi-level analysis of the Dutch electricity system (1960-2004)," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 1025-1037, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Pasimeni, 2019. "Community-Based Adoption and Diffusion of Micro-Grids: Analysis of the Italian Case with Agent-Based Model," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 22(1), pages 1-11.

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