Modelling Tool

DLR_ITEMS – Integrated Techno-Economic Assessment Models

Structure of the DLR_ITEMS REfuels simulation. The tool contains all relevant components and material and energy flows for the simulation and evaluation of various production routes for Fischer-Tropsch fuels using renewable energy.
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DLR_ITEMS comprises various modelling approaches and applications for the techno-economic simulation of individual systems and plants. The models have been developed at the Institute of Networked Energy Systems in different model contexts, but all pursue the goal of realising system integration through appropriate model interfaces. This includes both the internal coupling of different modules and material and energy flows as well as the consideration of interfaces to the local/regional energy system.

Under the name DLR_ITEMS (Integrated Techno-Economic Assessment Models), simulations of system-integrated individual plants have been developed at DLR and used for case studies. By 2024, models have been developed for the production of renewable hydrogen (Moser et al. 2019), for synthetic fuels – both for individual plants (Meurer et al. 2024) and in regional resolution (Braun et al. 2022) – as well as simulations of water treatment chains for renewable water desalination and mineral recovery (e.g. Pawar et al. 2022). Ongoing projects are expanding the technology portfolio and extending the functionalities of the tools in terms of data management, versioning and data analysis. The tools developed so far have a high potential for transferring the simulation methods to other areas of application, such as the simulation of plants for integrated renewable hydrogen and water production or industrial power, heat and fuel supply. Here, relevant issues relating to plant design and optimal operating strategies as well as the resulting production costs can be analysed, also taking into account external factors such as a temporally fluctuating renewable energy supply.

Departments, research groups and challenges related to DLR_ITEMS:

Department

Energy System Analysis

The Energy Systems Analysis department generates system-analytical knowledge, which we provide across sectors up to the global level and based in part on methods and modelling tools developed in-house.

Research Group

Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment

The Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment research group assesses alternative options and pathways for the transformation towards a sustainable energy economy. The aim is a holistic assessment across the entire life cycle of the technologies.

Challenge

Strategies for sustainable energy systems

Energy transition is a dynamic process that must be continuously adapted to new influences such as technical innovations or socially negotiated framework conditions.

Contact

Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment

Research Group
Institute of Networked Energy Systems