Solving a large energy system optimization model using an open-source solver

Colorado School of Mines and NREL Advanced Energy Systems PhD Candidate Madeline Macmillan, Kelly Eurek, Wesley Cole, and Director Morgan D. Bazilian write about how open-source energy models are becoming more widely used for electric power systems planning. The solutions for these models are often computed using commercial optimization solvers, which require licensing fees that can be a potential barrier for certain organizations and researchers. This study explores the ability of the open-source COIN-OR linear programming (CLP) solver to compute solutions for the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model—a large-scale, open-access electricity system planning model for the United States developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).   November 25, 2021.