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Review of the Scottish TIMES energy system model
The Scottish TIMES energy system model is built using the TIMES platform, a modelling tool which is developed by an International Energy Agency (IEA) technology collaboration programme and used in 63 countries. It contains a detailed and up-to-date depiction of all Scottish energy flows and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and explores the potential future benefits of a wide range of low-carbon fuels and technologies.
The Scottish TIMES model has provided evidence to inform Scottish Government climate policy in recent years. This report presents the findings of a technical review of the Scottish TIMES model. This involved considering model inputs and a number of diagnostic tests based on running the model with a test scenario. The review does not extend to considering whether the model has been used appropriately to support Scottish Government climate policy.
Summary conclusions
Review of model inputs
- The Scottish TIMES team has put considerable time into developing the model and keeping the data up-to-date.
- The team operates good quality assurance processes..
- A number of issues should be investigated further. These include the need for a reassessment of model boundary conditions, particularly for the GB electricity system, and some technology assumptions could be updated.
Outcome of the diagnostic tests
- The diagnostic tests identified a number of minor model data issues to investigate.
- The GHG emission accounting system (i.e. how GHGs are counted across the economy) could be more robust.
- Overall, it is clear Scottish TIMES is a solid, well-designed model suitable for informing Scottish climate policy if used appropriately.
Potential model development
The model could:
- Have improved GHG emissions accounting.
- Provide more value through a wider range of uses, for example by exploring future uncertainty.
- Be used more efficiently if a system were developed to produce the output data and analyses that stakeholders require.
- For the model to continue contributing high-quality evidence to inform Scottish policy, there is a need to ensure that there is sufficient technical modelling capacity within the Scottish Government.