Using the max-p regions problem algorithm to define regions for energy system modelling

Abstract

The input data of energy system models are, in many cases, aggregated data used to represent regions of interest. This paper presents a method of using energy-related spatial data and the max-p-regions method to define regions. The method aims to assign areas to regions that are similar in how much they consume, produce and store electricity.•A spatial dataset of administrative areas for 30 European countries is presented and used to apply the proposed method.•Use of energy-related spatial data to define regions of energy system model.•The method uses the heuristic solution of the max-p regions problem to reduce the spatial resolution of energy system models.

Keywords: Max-p-regions; Renewables; Spatial aggregation.