A Methodology for Modeling and Simulating a Thermal Energy System in Colombia

Abstract

A standard method to improve energy dynamics includes the use of energy models to analyze and decide on courses of action for the energy system. Despite the essential role that electrical energy plays in contemporary societies, the focus of efforts is mainly on analyzing and optimizing these systems, often ignoring another critical energy source, thermal energy. Thermal energy refers to temperature variations and the production and transfer of heat, the physical principle that drives various sectors, including industry, transportation systems, and domestic needs such as cooking and heating. Usually, thermal energy uses primarily non-renewable fossil fuels, serving as the basis for a thermal energy framework. This paper aims to outline a methodology for creating a foundational model of a thermal energy system that illustrates the movement of diverse energy sources denoted by different types of fuel with varying instances of supply and demand on a national level, considering Colombian data. Based on the preceding information, it is proposed to model and simulate energy scenarios in which some thermal consumption is substituted with electricity consumption from renewable generation sources, while considering the national energy transition objectives