In the implementation of the energy transition, the most cost-effective solutions are generally considered desirable – and the current prevailing energy system analysis models are capable of identifying cost-optimal pathways for future energy systems. However, they often lack the integration of other societal goals, which prevents a comprehensive optimisation in terms of broader societal well-being, for instance by incorporating aspects such as participation, employment effects, social acceptance, or biodiversity. The ENERGOOD project addresses this research gap by integrating the concept of societal well-being as a criterion into energy system analysis models. The aim is to provide robust guidance for policymakers that goes beyond cost optimisation, and also incorporates alternative objectives and development options. By identifying and analysing alternative criteria, a more nuanced understanding of their impact on future energy systems can be achieved. The resulting solutions can help reduce social conflicts and decrease investment uncertainties.
Within the project scope, approaches to quantify societal well-being are operationalised with appropriate indicators and validated through models: The researchers examine how societal well-being can be integrated into supply modelling, what deviations occur compared to purely cost-optimised models, what regional distribution effects can be expected, and what corresponding actor strategies within the energy system may look like. The Wuppertal Institute develops a database containing relevant indicators of societal well-being, processes them in a technology-related manner, validates them through surveys, and examines sufficiency measures qualitatively and quantitatively with regard to a suitable scenario. The findings are intended to broaden the perspective on future energy systems and provide a robust basis for decision-making aimed at a sustainable energy transition oriented towards societal well-being.