Foreground system:
The hydro power plant model consists of three sub-models: These sub-models are: run-of river, storage and pump storage (with natural afflux). The following life cycle phases are considered in all models: Construction, installation, operation, dismantling and removal of electrical parts of the system. End-of-life of infrastructure like concrete foundations or earth dams are not taken into consideration. Shares of the three hydro power types are modelled country / region specific.
The construction of the hydro power plant includes the main components:
- Cables and power house
- Earth-/ mineral dam
- Concrete dam
Operational life time of the hydro power models are 60 years. Maintenance is included as well as the change of service material like oil for the generators. Country / region specific greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from biomass degradation in reservoirs are included.
Even pump storage operation is accounted as electricity storage technology (not electricity generation), it is included in the analysis, since most of the pump storage plants, especially in the mountains, has a natural afflux to the reservoir. For that mixed plants (storage and pump storage), the corresponding actual electricity demand for pumping is taken from national statistics.
Background system:
Electricity: Electricity is modelled according to the individual country-specific situations. The country-specific modelling is achieved on multiple levels. Firstly, individual energy carrier specific power plants and plants for renewable energy sources are modelled according to the current national electricity grid mix. Modelling the electricity consumption mix includes transmission / distribution losses and the own use by energy producers (own consumption of power plants and "other" own consumption e.g. due to pumped storage hydro power etc.), as well as imported electricity. Secondly, the national emission and efficiency standards of the power plants are modelled as well as the share of electricity plants and combined heat and power plants (CHP). Thirdly, the country-specific energy carrier supply (share of imports and / or domestic supply) including the country-specific energy carrier properties (e.g. element and energy content) are accounted for. Fourthly, the exploration, mining/production, processing and transport processes of the energy carrier supply chains are modelled according to the specific situation of each electricity producing country. The different production and processing techniques (emissions and efficiencies) in the different energy producing countries are considered, e.g. different crude oil production technologies or different flaring rates at the oil platforms.
Thermal energy, process steam: The thermal energy and process steam supply is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation with regard to emission standards and considered energy carriers. The thermal energy and process steam are produced at heat plants. Efficiencies for thermal energy production are by definition 100% in relation to the corresponding energy carrier input. For process steam the efficiency ranges from 85%, 90% to 95%. The energy carriers used for the generation of thermal energy and process steam are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity above).
Transports: All relevant and known transport processes are included. Ocean-going and inland ship transport as well as rail, truck and pipeline transport of bulk commodities are considered.
Energy carriers: The energy carriers are modelled according to the specific supply situation (see electricity above).
Refinery products: Diesel fuel, gasoline, technical gases, fuel oils, lubricants and residues such as bitumen are modelled with a parameterised country-specific refinery model. The refinery model represents the current national standard in refining techniques (e.g. emission level, internal energy consumption, etc.) as well as the individual country-specific product output spectrum, which can be quite different from country to country. The supply of crude oil is modelled, again, according to the country-specific situation with the respective properties of the resources.