A comparative analysis of energy system modeling frameworks

Abstract Energy system modeling frameworks are essential tools for evaluating the feasibility and impacts of decarbonization strategies, guiding infrastructure planning, and supporting policy decisions. This paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of prominent European energy system modeling frameworks, focusing on their technological, temporal, and spatial resolution. The review examines how different modeling frameworks integrate flexibility options, sector coupling, and demand side management, while assessing their capabilities to represent the complexity of renewable energy systems. The study highlights the trade-offs made between modeling framework accuracy and computational feasibility, and it identifies emerging trends in modeling practices, including the integration of low-voltage grid effects, stochasticity, and flow-based market coupling. By comparing the strengths and limitations of each model, the paper offers insights into how these tools can support long-term energy planning and identifies gaps for future research. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored modeling frameworks that balance granularity and computational efficiency to address the challenges of energy system transformation in a decarbonizing Europe.