Technological advances, environmental concerns and the new relationship of consumers and the production system are transforming the energy sector worldwide. Such changes have brought challenges to energy regulators and planners that are seeking new approaches ranging from different methodologies for technical studies to better decision making process, in order to produce a more resilient, reliable and environmentally responsible energy system.
As a result, it is necessary to be updated in terms of best practices and knowledge, aiming at the technical excellence and positioning EPE in the "state of the art" of energy planning methodologies.
As a result, the identification, discussion of alternatives and the consequent improvement of the methodologies used in the planning studies are intrinsically linked to the research that EPE carries on its name. This activity is carried out through partnerships and agreements with worldwide institutions (agencies, universities and technical organizations).
EPE's current topics of interest are:
Energy sources integration studies;
Detailed representation of the system operation (higher granularity, including distributed generation), taking into account uncertainties in models of generation and transmission expansion;
Deepen understanding of complementarities between hydropower and other renewable power plants, including the impact of climate change;
Definition of measures of adequacy and firmness, capturing the complementarities between the sources of production of the system;
Preventive and "proactive" studies, such as transmission planning and coordination with generation expansion;
Consideration and adequate representation of new technologies and solutions (storage, demand side response, etc.) in planning studies;
Alternatives to meet peak-load demand, such as fast-start natural gas thermo power plants, among other technologies;
Perspectives on oil and oil products, natural gas and biofuels, from production to consumption, including analysis of logistical flows;
Expansion of pipelines of natural gas and other fuels in Brazil, in an integrated way with other energy sources;
The international market for oil and its products, natural gas and biofuels, including analysis of national and international prices, as well as import and export expectations;
Estimates of future investments in the energy industry;
Perspectives of evolution of the legal and regulatory framework governing the market of each of the energy sources, aiming at better energy market design;
Identification and assessment of the potential of fossil energy resources, the optimal use of these resources over time and complementarity with other energy sources;
Perspectives of international geopolitics of oil and its impacts in Brazil;
Combined development of energy supply and energy-efficiency alternatives, taking into account social and environmental costs;
Relationship between economic development and the evolution of Brazilian energy intensity;
Assessing the logistics and storage infrastructure required as part of a national development strategy;
Alternatives for greater insertion of biofuels.
