Empowerment through openness: the future of energy modelling

Don't miss out on our future events. Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.agora-energiewende.org/co... For decades, energy system planning has relied on commercial software. However, such tools can result in lock-in, high costs and reduced transparency. At the same time, for many low- and medium-income countries, increasing license fees and declining financial support from international partners have made continued access to these tools increasingly challenging, potentially slowing Paris-aligned energy transitions. Open-source modelling frameworks such as PyPSA and OSeMOSYS have now reached a high-level of maturity and are used by leading institutions beyond academia, including ACER, Elia Group, ENTSO-E and TenneT. These models offer a cost-effective, transparent approach to policymaking and benefit from a vibrant global community that fosters innovation and collaboration. To advance the use of open-source modelling for energy system planning, Agora Energiewende hosted this event to discuss how open-source tools can strengthen science-based, transparent and robust energy planning. The discussion was accompanied by the launch of our open-source model builder – PyPSA-SPICE (PyPSA-based Scenario Planning and Integrated Capacity Expansion). Hear from different high-level representatives on the needs and impact of open-source modelling. Leaders from a range of organisations – from governments, think tanks, academia and philanthropic organisations – shared how the community can best cooperate to build a stronger open-source modelling ecosystem. Building on Agora's long-standing experience connecting modelling with policymaking, this event explored practical ways to connect the open-source modelling community with policy action.