Regional-Scale Energy Modelling for Developing Strategies to Achieve Climate Neutrality

In this work, complex energy and greenhouse gas emissions analysis on a regional scale was presented. In the framework of analysis, the 3E (Energy–Economy–Environment) class optimisation model was developed. The objective function includes the costs of energy in the medium and long term. The model covers the following sectors: energy, industry, agriculture, households, tertiary, transport, and forestry. Data such as (i) potential of individual technologies, (ii) potential of renewable energy sources, (iii) technology and fuel costs, (iv) the legal environment, and (v) sectoral goals indicated in strategic documents at various levels (regional, national, European) were implemented into the model. The aim of the study was to indicate the optimal paths to achieve climate neutrality for a selected coal region of Europe (Małopolska Voivodeship, Poland). For this purpose, four scenarios were developed, with different goals and activities. The base year for the research is 2020, and the scenarios were developed until 2050. The research we carried out allowed us to obtain results on greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption, decommissioning old technologies and installing new ones, and costs system development by 2050.