Power Flow Tracing (PFT) encompasses a set of methodologies designed to calculate power transfers from individual generation points to specific consumption points or branches. Initially developed to allocate costs associated with transmission losses, PFT has found a highly relevant application in the field of sustainability: the determination of the fuel mix of power consumption at a specific point on the power grid. Knowing the fuel mix of consumed power in turn enables you to determine the specific carbon footprint arising from power consumption at a certain point of the power grid.
Why is Power Flow Tracing Essential to achieve Net-Zero Goals
Europe’s certification frameworks, such as Guarantees of Origin (GO) and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), provide mechanisms for tracing and certifying electricity and its characteristics. However, these schemes are decoupled from the physical flow of electricity and often lack the temporal and locational granularity needed for precise tracking.
Power Flow Tracing fills this gap by offering a more granular and accurate approach. It enables stakeholders to trace the movement of electricity across the grid while incorporating emissions data, making it a critical tool for organizations striving to meet Net-Zero commitments.
Eleks Dakar Technology: Certified Excellence by Fraunhofer FIT
The PFT functionality of Eleks’ power grid simulation tool Dakar features an approach that is deeply rooted in foundational PFT scientific literature. As one of Eleks’ oldest and most sophisticated products, Dakar’s importance has grown significantly due to the combined pressures of geopolitical challenges and the global Net-Zero agenda. The recent scientific review by Fraunhofer FIT validates its reliability and potential for large-scale implementation.
COVERE²’s Unique Role in Enhancing Energy-Related Emissions Data
As companies face increasing regulatory and consumer pressure to address climate change, PFT offers a transformative solution. By significantly improving the granularity and quality of location-based Scope 2 carbon accounting, PFT aligns with the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and anticipates stricter regulations on the horizon.
This innovation enables organizations to:
- Transparently track the carbon intensity of electricity.
- Accurately attribute emissions to specific sources and locations.
- Make data-driven decisions to reduce their carbon footprints.
Overcoming Data Availability Challenges
While PFT provides a robust theoretical and practical framework, its success depends on the availability of high-quality data. Currently, many electricity grids, particularly at the low-voltage level, lack comprehensive data for holistic and precise carbon accounting. Addressing this gap could lead to the development of more detailed electricity maps that illustrate carbon flows and empower CO2-adaptive decision-making for organizations and individuals alike.
Looking Ahead
The Fraunhofer Institute’s review of Eleks Dakar underscores the transformative potential of Power Flow Tracing for Carbon Accounting and Energy Transition. Complementarily, it promises to drive the energy sector toward greater transparency and precision—essential components of a successful shift to Net-Zero. By addressing current limitations in data availability and scaling its implementation, COVERE² and its PFT capabilities are poised to revolutionize how we understand and manage electricity-related emissions.
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