Release | 02
A need to better understand and assist the developer/user communities that underpin open energy system modelling
Role: accepted abstract
Date: 28 April 2022
Status: as‑submitted
Abstract
This policy note examines the role that developer/user communities play in support of the more established open energy system framework projects. Open here refers collectively to an emphasis on open source code, open and reusable data, and open structures. This particular form of analysis and organisation can offer clear advantages when exploring energy policy responses for countries and regions located in the global south.
The role of open source models for energy system analysis generally is gaining acceptance. For example, Guivarch et al (2022:11–13) covered such models in IPCC reporting for the first time.
On a technical level, this type of analysis may provide for improved transparency, reproducibility, inclusion, trust, and engagement. And on a social level, it can allow for a soft technology transfer southward in ways that the conventional delivery of similar services cannot. Furthermore, that interchange is naturally two‑way as the development teams in the global north learn from their southern colleagues.
However the contributors in developing countries have particular needs and circumstances and it is vital that these are serviced if real partnerships are to be built. Indeed, the established modelling projects that have begun working in Africa have identified research partner recruitment and retention as major issues.
Moreover, the developer/user communities themselves also need different forms of recognition and support compared with projects backed by established institutions and consortia. In particular, project maintainers play a central role in these communities, not only to gate‑keep the various contributions, but also to onboard and nurture new users and contributors. Finding suitable and innovative ways to support these maintainers is also required.
If this abstract is selected for a full briefing, then community leaders in key projects will be interviewed to gain specific examples and insights regarding the technical and social challenges they face, both generally and in relation to contributors in the global south.
References
Guivarch, Celine, Elmar Kriegler, and Joana Portugal Pereira (coordinating lead authors) (4 April 2022). Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change — Annex III: Scenarios and modelling methods. Geneva, Switzerland: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Working Group III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
UK Aid (21 April 2022). Call for evidence on Climate Compatible Growth for the Energy Transition Council (extended deadline). London, United Kingdom: UK Aid (Department for International Development).
About the author
Robbie Morrison has been involved in high‑resolution national energy system modelling since 1995 and open energy system models and communities since 2003. He has been active in the Open Energy Modelling Initiative since 2016. He also participates in the Free Software Foundation Europe Legal Network since 2017, where issues related to open source governance are often traversed.
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