HyFlow—A Hybrid Load Flow-Modelling Framework to Evaluate the Effects of Energy Storage and Sector Coupling on the Electrical Load Flows

HyFlow is a grid-based multi-energy system (MES) modelling framework. It aims to model the status quo of current energy systems, future scenarios with a high share of fluctuating energy sources or additional consumers like electric vehicles, and to compare solution strategies if certain parts of the infrastructure are congested. In order to evaluate the congestion limits and the feasibility and suitability of solution strategies (e.g., energy storage, sector coupling technologies, demand response (DR)), load flow calculations of all three main grid-bound energy carriers are implemented in one single modelling framework. In addition to the implemented load flow models, it allows the interaction of these grids with the use of hybrid elements. This measure enables a proper assessment of future scenarios, not only for the infrastructure of one energy carrier, but for the overall energy system. The calculation workflow of HyFlow, including the implemented load flow calculations, as well as the implementation of the flexibility options, is described in detail in the methodology section. To demonstrate the wide range of applicability of HyFlow with different spatial ranges, two case studies referring to current research problems are presented: a city and a region surrounding the mentioned city. The calculations for the mentioned case studies are performed for three levels. A “status quo” level, a “high-stress” level with added fluctuating energy sources and consumers, and an “improvement” level, where flexibility options are introduced to the system. The effect of the flexibility options on future energy grids is, therefore, analyzed and evaluated. A wide variety of evaluation criteria can be selected. For example, the maximum load of certain power lines, the self-sufficiency of the overall system, the total transport losses or the total energy consumption.