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September 11, 2026 article Open access Aachen paper

Introducing the ETHOS energy transformation pathway optimization model suite

Energy Conversion and Management X, vol. 32, pp. 102305

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecmx.2026.102305 Full text (OA) OpenAlex

Abstract

Energy systems analysis requires a diverse set of tools to comprehensively evaluate complex transformation pathways. Robust assessments depend on methods for data generation and processing, renewable energy potential estimation, energy system optimization, as well as socio- and macroeconomic analysis. In this paper, we present for the first time a harmonized model suite – ETHOS – that integrates these functionalities within a consistent analytical framework. The ETHOS suite comprises tools ranging from automated data extraction using natural language processing to state-of-the-art renewable potential assessments and energy system optimization models, among others. We describe the individual components of the suite, outline their methodological foundations, explain how they can be accessed and applied, and summarize previous applications in scientific publications and flagship reports of the International Energy Agency. Looking ahead, all models within the ETHOS suite are intended to be developed as open-source software, fostering a broad research community and enabling holistic decision support for policymakers to advance the energy transition.

Authors 35

  1. Jann Michael Weinand corresponding

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  2. Johannes Behrens Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  3. Julian Belina Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  4. Alicia Benitez

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  5. Arne Burdack Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  6. Shuying Chen

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Bio- and Geosciences - Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  7. Kristina Dabrock Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  8. Mak Đukan

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  9. Philipp Dunkel Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  10. Jan Göpfert Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  11. Maxime Gorres

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  12. Thomas Grube

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  13. Noor Titan Putri Hartono

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  14. Heidi Heinrichs

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · University of Siegen

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    University of Siegen, Chair for Energy Systems Analysis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Siegen, Germany

  15. Shitab Ishmam

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  16. Theresa Klütz

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  17. Patrick Kuckertz

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  18. David Neuroth

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  19. Olalekan Omoyele Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  20. Shruthi Patil

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  21. Tristan Pelser Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  22. Noah Pflugradt

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  23. Katharina Rieck Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  24. Andrew Ross

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  25. Thomas Schöb

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  26. Kai Schulze Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  27. Hawal Shamon

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  28. Maximilian Stargardt

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  29. Sandra Venghaus Aachen Chair for Decision Analysis and Socio-economic Assessment School of Business and Economics

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen, Chair for Decision Analysis and Socio-economic Assessment, School of Business and Economics, Aachen, Germany

  30. Stefan Vögele

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · TU Bergakademie Freiberg

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    TU Freiberg, Chair for Energy Economics, Faculty of Business Administration, Freiberg, Germany

  31. Henrik Wenzel Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  32. Christoph Winkler Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062 Aachen, Germany

  33. Christina Wulf

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  34. Petra Zapp

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

  35. Jochen Linßen

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE) – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

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References 103