Research project RESUME
Multi-criteria optimisation: The impact of recycling potential, critical raw materials and supply chain risks on the energy transition
Securing the availability of critical raw materials is a key challenge for the energy transition in Germany. These raw materials are essential for renewable energy technologies, and their limited availability and potential supply risks could jeopardise the transformation to a sustainable energy supply. Recycling potential offers the opportunity to minimise these risks and ensure a more stable supply. In this context, the RESUME research project (funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) aims to systematically analyse these relationships and develop robust strategies for the energy supply of the future.
Research project RESUME | |
|---|
Duration | September 2022 to August 2025 |
Funded by | Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action |
Project participants | - Institute of Networked Energy Systems
- GAMS Software GmbH
- German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe)
- Working group for Data Analysis & Visualization, University of Konstanz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research
|
The project participants are investigating how the availability of critical raw materials influences the energy transition. To this end, raw material availability and requirements for energy transition technologies are being integrated into a European energy system model. The REMix modelling tool developed at DLR is being used for this purpose. In this way, robust pathways for the energy transition can be identified that are less susceptible to disrupted supply chains. In addition to costs, this approach also takes into account the geopolitical supply risk and market risk of raw materials. This is the first time that the interplay between cost efficiency and raw material supply security has been modelled in an energy system model.
A central aspect is the development of a method to minimise the computational effort. In addition, a graphical analysis tool is being developed and applied in order to improve practice transfer in the form of support for decision-making processes in politics and the energy industry.
In the RESUME project, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems is focussing on identifying the availability and recycling possibilities of key raw materials and developing an aggregated index of raw material criticality. In addition, one of the project team's priorities is to derive robust transformation pathways for the energy transition that fulfil economic and raw material-related criteria.
The expected main results of the RESUME project include methods for deriving indicators for raw material availability, open data for modelling, improved optimisation and planning tools and options for action for the energy transition.
