Strategic planning of energy systems under economic-environmental constraints in Latin America: The 3E mode

The socioeconomic growth of Latin America requires the careful planning of energy systems within the region. Current patterns and expected trends depict an urgent need for short-, medium-, and long-term strategic plans. It is proposed to develop an iterative-integrated model for strategic planning of energy systems under economic-environmental constraints, named as the 3E Model. Energy Models and Information Systems are used as modules of the iterative-integrated model under the framework of Integrated Energy Planning theory. Three phases can be identified through the problem-solving process. The first phase produces a base-reference scenario for which an assessment of potential technologies is carried out. The second phase obtains an initial solution on the basis of Reference Energy Systems theory while the third phase re-shapes that solution incorporating the analysis of financial and technology management issues in search of a feasible solution. Iterations may be required to perform more than one loop within the 3E Model. Within the framework that the iterative-integrated model provides, strategies of primary concern are: Energy Conservation/Demand-Side Management, Energy Substitution/Renewable Energy, Mitigation of Climate Change, and Least Cost Planning. The problem-solving process ends with the formulation of short-, medium-, and long-term plans on the basis of the strategy selected through the model execution in order to achieve the desired goal and objectives. A particular application of the 3E Model is executed using a simplified version of the national energy system of Brazil for illustration purposes.