MARKAL-IO Linking an input-output model with MARKAL

Publication

This report deals with E3-models to study the relationship between energy, economy and the environment. Since energy policies to reduce CO2 emissions can have major economic impacts, it is important to study such complex relationships thoroughly. To overcome the major drawback of existing linked models like MARKAL-MACRO, namely the overly simplified representation of the economy, this research aimed at a nationally oriented macroeconomic model and link it with the detailed energy model MARKAL.

This study also dicusses the value and application of this class of modelling approaches for the IMAGE model. An input-output (IO) model is concluded to be the most suitable for linking with MARKAL. Given exogenous developments on world trade, foreign prices, labour productivity and government spending, the IO model development calculates the output of the different sectors and the inputs these sectors require for their production.

The linkage between MARKAL and the IO model is established through two interfaces. The first interface transforms and re-allocates energy costs associated with MARKAL technologies to comply with the structure of the IO model. The second interface uses the results from the model to calculate the induced changes in useful energy demand level for MARKAL. This procedure is iteratively repeated until the model results of MARKAL and IO converge and a new optimal solution is found. Since this research focuses mainly on the methodological aspects of linking the models, the numerical results should only be considered as an illustration. Having linked the MARKAL model with an IO model it is now possible to analyze the economic impacts of changes in the energy system and vice-versa in some detail. Priority areas for further elaboration and development are identified.

Authors

Klaassen MAW , Vos D , Seebregts AJ , Kram T , Kruitwagen S , Huiberts RGJ , Ierland EC van

Specifications

Publication title
MARKAL-IO Linking an input-output model with MARKAL
Publication date
25 June 1999
Publication type
Publication
Publication language
English
Product number
90442