PyZ – A Python Model Toolset for Techno-Economic Systems Analysis of Net Zero-Carbon Emissions Options

The global perspective on energy and the environment favors the development and implementation of net zero-carbon emissions technologies for electrical grids. Shifting from the current nonrenewable sources to renewable or decarbonized nonrenewable technologies presents many challenges and options. There is a need for a configurable techno-economic modeling tool to analyze and compare alternatives to achieve net zero-carbon emissions under a variety of electrical grid conditions. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) developed a Python-based toolset, named "PyZ", that models electrical microgrid operations incorporating multiple sources of energy and storage technologies, and custom dispatch strategies. The tool includes cost models for installation, operation, and maintenance of each energy source and storage technology. Engineers used PyZ on an Internal Research and Development (IR&D) project to explore and compare alternatives to operate SwRI on a microgrid with renewable or decarbonized nonrenewable energy sources and energy storage to maintain reliable operations. The team analyzed multiple alternatives and the impacts on the cost of electricity as the system progressed to net zero-carbon emissions. Results indicated that 58% decarbonization is currently achievable without the levelized cost of electricity rising above the current purchased price from the local electrical utility. However, achieving net zero-carbon emissions would be almost 190% of current electricity costs. Advances in nonrenewable energy and storage technologies should reduce the cost differential. This paper describes the development, framework, and operation of the PyZ toolset along with results from the IR&D project.