• Analytical approach: Hybrid
• Purpose: Scenario analysis
• Methodology: Optimization
• Deterministic
• Regions: Europe, Switzerland, Russia, Middle East, India, China, Japan, USA, CANZ and the Rest of the world
• Sectors: Electricity and non-electric energy
• Dynamic
• Time horizon: 2010-2100

• Developer: Energy Economics Group, PSI
• Contact: Evangelos Panos

Swiss MERGE-ETL (Model for Evaluating Regional and Global Effects of GHG reductions policies)

MERGE-ETL is an integrated assessment model combining a bottom-up description of the energy system disaggregated into electric and non-electric sectors, a top-down model based on a macroeconomic production function, and a simplified climate cycle. MERGE-ETL has been progressively developed from the MERGE model of Manne et al. (1995) (Kypreos 2007; Magne et al. 2010; Marcucci and Turton 2011; Marcucci, 2012).

The integrated approach in MERGE-ETL accounts for linkages between economic activity and the energy sector, such that the model determines endogenously energy demands, prices, technology choice and economic output. In addition, technological learning is represented in MERGE-ETL by two-factor learning curves for technology investment costs, applying the paradigm of technology clusters described in Seebregts et al. (2000).

The regional disaggregation in the Swiss MERGE-ETL includes 10 geopolitical regions: Europe, Switzerland, Russia, Middle East, India, China, Japan, USA, Canada and New Zealand and the Rest of the world. (Marcucci, 2012).

Model inputs

• Technology characterization (capital and operational costs, efficiency, lifetime, availability)
• Renewable energy resources potential
• Resource availability: supply curves for non-renewable resources and potentials for renewables
• Emission factors by energy carrier
• Elasticities of substitution
• Population
• Potential GDP
• Autonomous energy efficiency improvements
• Taxes/subsidies
• Policies (e.g. nuclear phase out, emission targets, energy security objectives)
• Discount rate

Model outputs

• Energy demand [EJ and PWh]
• Annual electricity generation mix [PWh] and non-electric energy production [EJ]
• Realized GDP [trillion dollars]
• Resource use and trading [EJ]
• Energy cost [dollars per EJ or PWh]
• GHG emissions [Gt CO2, CH4 and N2O] and atmospheric concentration [ppm, ppv]
• Carbon price [dollar per ton of CO2]
• Temperature increase [degrees]