|
Zero-emissions Energy Networks
by ETH Zürich
Authors:
Jacob Mannhardt, Alissa Ganter, Lukas Kunz, Lukas Schmidt-Engelbertz, Janis Fluri, Vinzenz Muser, Johannes Burger, Francesco De Marco, Christoph Funke, Nour Boulos, Paolo Gabrielli, Giovanni Sansavini
Contact:
ZEN-garden team
|
ZEN-garden is an open-source linear optimization model of long-term energy system transition pathways. ZEN-garden, with a modular and flexible design, can be used to optimize different types of energy systems, value chains, or other network-based systems. ZEN-garden particularly provides a detailed description of transition pathways with, among other features, cumulative or annual carbon limits, capacity expansion constraints, and construction years. Data handling is user-oriented with features covering unit consistency, scaling, and parallelizable scenario analysis. Results output by ZEN-garden are investigated on an intuitive and flexible visualization platform.
Based on Python. Using for data processing.
Website / Documentation
|
 Open Source
MIT license (MIT)
Directly downloadable
Some input data shipped
|
| Model Scope |
Model type and solution approach |
| Model class
|
Framework
|
| Sectors
|
All
|
| Technologies
|
Renewables, Conventional Generation, CHP
|
| Decisions
|
dispatch, investment
|
| Regions
|
All
|
| Geographic Resolution
|
Node
|
| Time resolution
|
Hour
|
| Network coverage
|
transmission, distribution, DC load flow
|
|
| Model type
|
Optimization
|
|
|
|
| Variables
|
|
| Computation time
|
minutes
|
| Objective
|
Minimize net-present costs or minimize carbon emissions
|
| Uncertainty modeling
|
Scenario Analysis (Deterministic)
|
| Suited for many scenarios / monte-carlo
|
Yes
|
|
References
Scientific references
Mannhardt, J., Ganter, A., Burger, J., De Marco, F., Kunz, L., Schmidt-Engelbertz, L., Gabrielli, P., & Sansavini, G. (2025). ZEN-garden: Optimizing energy transition pathways with user-oriented data handling. SoftwareX, 29, 102059. DOI:10.1016/j.softx.2025.102059
https://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2025.102059
Reports produced using the model
Mannhardt, J., Gabrielli, P., & Sansavini, G. (2024). Understanding the vicious cycle of myopic foresight and constrained technology deployment in transforming the European energy system. iScience, 27(12), 111369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.111369
Mannhardt, J., Gabrielli, P., & Sansavini, G. (2023). Collaborative and selfish mitigation strategies to tackle energy scarcity: The case of the European gas crisis. iScience, 26(5), 106750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106750
Ganter, A., Lonergan, K. E., Büchi, H. M., & Sansavini, G. (2024). Shifting to low-carbon hydrogen production supports job creation but does not guarantee a just transition. One Earth, 7(11), 1981–1993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.10.009
Ganter, A., Gabrielli, P., & Sansavini, G. (2024). Near-term infrastructure rollout and investment strategies for net-zero hydrogen supply chains. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 194, 114314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114314
◀ back to model list
