Training & Workshops
VTT Technical Research Center (Helsinki, Finland) – Regular Winter Workshop
Title: 2025 – Regular Winter Workshop
Host: VTT technical Research Center
Venue: Technopolis Otaniemi Innopoli, Finland
Date: November 24-25, 2025
Contacts: Kathleen Vaillancourt
Programme – Summary
November 24, 2025 (09:00-17:30) – ETSAP Regular Workshop Day 1
November 25, 2025 (09:00-13:00) – ETSAP Regular Workshop Day 2
November 25, 2025 (14:00-18:00) – ETSAP Executive Committee
Participation restricted to ETSAP Delegates, officers, and invited experts.
Agenda and attachments are sent separately.
November 26, 2025 (09:00-12:30) – Transformation pathways in the industrial sector Workshop within the “Modeling of the industry sector and material efficiency” ETSAP funded project
November 26-28, 2025 (09:00-16:30) – Basic training course on VEDA-TIMES
November 26-23, 2025 (09:00-16:30) – Advanced training course on VEDA-TIMES
November 24, 2025 (09:00-17:30)
ETSAP Regular Workshop Day 1
09:00-09:15
Welcome
Dr. Antti Arasto, Vice President, Energy, VTT
Prof. B. O’Gallachoir ETSAP Chair (PDF)
09:15-10:30
Session 1: Energy systems modelling in Finland
Chair: Dr Kari Espegren
Energy system modelling to support national energy and climate policy making in Finland – lessons learned during the last ten years
(PDF) Tiina Koljonen, VTT, Finland
The Devil in the Dispatch; What Hourly Modelling Uncovers in System Scenarios?
(PDF) Tomi J. Lindroos, VTT, Finland
A multi-dimensional framework for modeling energy system transition resilience: A Finnish Case
(PDF) Mr. Behzad Zamanipour, Aalto University, Finland
10:30-11:00
Coffee Break
11:00-13:00
Session 2: ETSAP tools development
Chair: Prof. Brian O’ Gallachoir
This is the first in a series of discussions on the Future Development of ETSAP Tools.
Update on TIMES Features.
(PDF) Antti Lehtila, VTT
Could GAMSPy be an option for TIMES code maintenance and development?
(PDF) Evangelos Panos, PSI
Q&A on the presentations Open Discussion: TIMES Code development, maintenance and update of model manuals.
13:00-14:00
Lunch Break
14:00-15:30
Session 3: Modelling tools and practices
Chair: Dr Jonas Forsberg
Improving tools for working with high resolution geographical and temporal data output from TIMES
(PDF) Mr. Kristoffer Andersen, Energy Modelling Lab, Denmark
A Weighted Least Squares Error Hetero-functional Graph State Estimator of the American Multi-modal Energy System
(PDF) Prof. Amro Farid, Stevens Institute of Technology, USA
VerveStacks: Bringing the Sophistication of TIMES Back into Play
Mr. Amit Kanudia, KanORS-EMR
Recommended Practices for system studies with high shares of wind and solar
(PDF) Prof. Hannele Holttinen, IEA WIND TCP Task 25/63 OA (Recognis Oy)
15:30-16:00
Coffee Break
16:00-17:30
Session 4: National studies and models
Chair: Dr Erik Ahlgren
More Than a Matter of Time: The Impact of Temporal Resolution on Valuing Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers in a Decarbonised All Ireland Energy System
(PDF) Dr. James Glynn, Energy Systems Modelling Analytics (ESMA), Ireland
Modeling Net-Zero Emissions in the Global South: A Case Study of Pakistan
(PDF) Mr. Atique U Rehman, Quaid -e- Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah, Pakistan.
Spatial allocation of wind power in Norway: Modelling trade-offs between energy, biodiversity, and local disamenities
(PDF) Mr. Kristina Haaskjold, Institutt for Energiteknikk (IFE), Norway
From economy-wide energy system optimization to energy affordability for consumers in Canada
(PDF) Dr. Elizaveta Kuznetsova, ESMIA Consultants, Canada
November 25, 2025 (09:00-13:00)
ETSAP Regular Workshop Day 2
09:00-10:00
Session 5: Synergies between ETSAP and T44 Flxible bioenergy and system integration.
Moderator: Anna Krook-Riekkola (Luleå University of Technology) and Fabian Schipfer (IIASA)
1. IEA Bioenergy T44: System Integration and Flexible Bioenergy (Fabian Schipfer, IIASA) (PDF)
2. Risk mitigation through portfolio diversification (Danial Esmaeili, UFZ) (PDF)
3. Methodological advancements for integration impact assessment (Amro Farid, SIT) Way forward (PDF)
10:00-11:00
Session 6: Sectoral modelling
Chair: Dr Kristina Haaskjold
Material–Energy Nexus for EU Decarbonization: Extending TIMES-EU to Capture Circular Economy Strategies for Transport Sector
(PDF) Dr. Patrícia Fortes, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Portugal
Integrating Transport Dynamics into the TIMES-Reunion Model: Exploring Energy Transition Pathways Toward Self-Sufficiency and Carbon Neutrality
(PDF) Mr. Holitokiniaina Bearison Sitraka, Université de La Réunion
Role of the cement industry in climate neutrality considering uncertainties in deployment of CCS: A site-specific modeling approach
(PDF) Mr. Farzin Ahmadi, Aalto University, Finland
11:00-11:30
Coffee Break
11:30-12:30
Session 7
Chair: Dr James Glynn
Modelling nuclear power in energy system models – assumptions, methodology & best modelling practices
(PDF) Dr. Pernille Seljom, Institutt for Energiteknikk (IFE), Norway
Energy Communities and Their Roles in Decarbonization
(PDF) Dr Gonzalo Ott Cruz, LTU
Sweden Carbon neutral pathways for Kerala: CN 50
Mr. Gajendera Singh Negi, Vasudha Foundation, India
12:30 – 13:00
Session 8: ETSAP project proposals
Chair: Dr G. Giannakidis
Presentations of the ETSAP proposals to be discussed in the Executive Committee meeting
13:00-14:00
Lunch Break
November 26, 2025 (09:00-12:30)
ETSAP Special Workshop – Transformation pathways in the industrial sector
ETSAP funded project: Modeling of the industry sector and material efficiency
Topic motivation. Achieving carbon neutrality presents significant challenges within the industrial sector, largely due to complex value chains and a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. This workshop explores transformative pathways for energy-intensive industries, detailing strategies for emission-free production essential to reaching the well-below 2°C goal.
Moderators:
Ms. Tiina Koljonen, VTT, Finland
Prof. Dr. Markus Blesl, IER, Germany
Prof. Anna Krook-Riekkola, LTU, Sweden
Contact: Tiina Koljonen
Programme
09:00 Introduction
Tiina Koljonen, VTT
09:15 Pathways for fossil free industry in Finland
Antti Lehtilä, VTT
09:45 Topic: Speaker 2 Bio-based industry (e.g. from IEA Bioenergy T44)
10:15 From Now to Next: Rethinking Nordic Cross-border Supply Chains amid a Green Industrial Shift – Insights from the Man0EUvre project
Vivek K. Yadav, Jonas Forsberg and Anna Krook-Riekkola, LTU
10:45 Coffee Break
11:00 Topic: Speaker 4
11:30 CO₂ reduction pathways in the cement industry: strategies and the role of CCS
12:00 Discussion
12:30 Wrap-up of the results