Investigating the opportunities of implementing a cellular approach for two regional energy systems in Germany from a socio-technical point of view

Abstract:
The transformation of energy systems uncovers new challenges and uncertainties. The cellular approach is often discussed as a way to improve the resilience of these systems. Technical features of resilient systems have been described; social aspects, however, arising during implementation, are rarely taken into account. We investigated the opportunities to implement the cellular approach in two regional energy systems in Germany, looking at them from a socio-technical point of view. We applied a vulnerability assessment, identified prevailing guiding orientations and assessed potential economic value added, taking different scenarios into account. In order to identify consistent configuration options for the regional cells, we modeled the energy systems with the open-source framework OEMOF. The results were discussed with stakeholders in two workshops. Discussions revealed that the concept of cellularity is able of bridging to the still uncommon and new concept of ‘resilient energy systems’.