How generation capacities and output are modelled across Europe
The generation stack across GB, Iberia and Germany is shown below.
Generation output is based on load factors and short-run marginal costs (SRMCs) for each technology type. These determine when plants run and what prices they set.
What is a load factor? The ratio of actual energy generated to the total installed capacity over a given period. A 50% load factor means a plant generates half of what it theoretically could.
What is SRMC? The short-run marginal cost is what it costs a plant to generate one additional MWh. This determines the order in which plants are dispatched.
Future generation capacities
Generation capacities are forecast based on current installed capacities (from ENTSO-E and individual countries’ national data), combined with the Capacity Expansion Model. The capacity expansion model takes a centralised approach to buildout, minimising system costs while maintaining grid reliability.
Explore generation and storage types
Thermal
Gas, coal, biomass, CCS, and hydrogen peakers
Renewables
Wind, solar, and subsidy impacts on bidding
Hydro
Pumped storage, run-of-river, and reservoir hydro
Nuclear
Baseload generation and French flexibility
Storage
Batteries, pumped hydro, and prosumer storage
Commodity Prices
Gas, carbon, coal, biomass, and hydrogen