What has energy system modelling ever done for us? Professor Paul Dodds' Inaugural Lecture

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About this lecture

Energy system modelling has a prominent role in energy policy development in many countries.  Scenarios are developed to both identify and communicate decarbonisation strategies and challenges.  Yet these models have been criticised as being unrealistic, opaque, and therefore liable to lead to poor policies.  In this lecture, we will discuss the strengths and weakness of energy system models for understanding decarbonisation, using hydrogen as a case study.  We will consider how their use for policy development might be improved in the future, and how the criticisms might be addressed.  Finally, we will consider potential future model developments, and where it would be better to adopt a different type of model or method altogether.

About Professor Paul Dodds

Paul Dodds is Professor of Energy Systems at UCL. His research spans the boundary between economics and engineering. He primarily focuses on the development and use of energy system models. He leads the development of the UK TIMES model, which is used for decarbonisation assessments by a range of academics and stakeholders including the UK Government. He has published on a range of energy sectors and has particularly focused on hydrogen over the last decade, including proposing the conversion of the gas distribution networks to deliver hydrogen. He co-chairs the BEIS standards and regulations working group of the Hydrogen Advisory Council, and represents the UK Government at IEA Hydrogen and IEA ETSAP meetings. He is part of the UK Energy Research Centre, the UK CCS Research Centre, and the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supergen Hub.”