Inspecting the best future alternatives of the energy system requires particular characteristics and resolution to completely assess the challenges of the energy transition. A high temporal resolution in the modelling is required to properly catch renewable energy variability. Sector-coupling is needed to accurately evaluate the synergies between energy sectors. EPLANopt model based on EnergyPLAN software, developed by Aalborg University, has the above-mentioned features.

Eurac research has coupled the EnergyPLAN software with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to perform the expansion capacity optimization with a multi-objective approach. The multiobjective optimization approach allows the modelers to present the final results to the policy makers in the most transparent way enabling a participatory process for the selection of best futurealternatives fo r the energy system.