Deriving Experience Curves and Implementing Technological Learning in Energy System Models

Abstract

Technological learning encompasses a variety of mechanisms by which technologies improve and decrease in costs. Experience curves are commonly used to analyze and explicitly quantify technological learning. This chapter presents the history and basic methodology of experience curves, and discusses the implementation of experience curves in energy system and sectoral energy models. Several key results of the REFLEX project with respect to state-of-the-art experience curves, and the implementation of experience curves in the REFLEX Energy Modeling System are highlighted. Finally, a set of key lessons learned in the REFLEX project are presented, discussing both methodological issues of experience curves as well as key issues with regard to the implementation of experience curves in different types of energy system and sectoral energy models.