Report 01 · The Joule Model

Europe, as one connected system.

A working 2050 model scenario for examining how electricity, hydrogen, methane and synthetic fuels interact across the continent.

Report / active modelAuthor · Terajoule modelling team
A relief map of Europe with twenty-eight connected geographies
The Joule Model · Continental system view

Current model

How the four carrier networks are modelled together.

The model co-optimises electricity, hydrogen, methane and synthetic-fuel networks with storage, cross-border flows and demand-side flexibility. Results can be viewed at continental, country, node, sector and technology level, with the assumptions available alongside them.

Horizon
2050 scenario
Time
Hourly system balance
Geography
Country to node
Status
Digital report in review

Methodology

Assumptions, outputs and sources.

Assumptions

The current case fixes a 2050 horizon, hourly balances, candidate network expansion and technology availability. Assumptions are working inputs, not policy commitments.

Outputs

Charts and tables report solved scenario values by geography, carrier, sector and technology. Values remain subject to model and editorial review.

Suggested citation: Terajoule (2026), The Joule Model: Europe, as one connected system, working digital report.

Model architecture

The four connected networks.

01

Electricity

Generation, storage, demand response and candidate transmission expansion are co-optimised at hourly resolution.

02

Hydrogen

A 110-node network connects electrolysis, reforming, pyrolysis, ammonia gateways and storage.

03

Methane

Biomethane, LNG backup and pipeline repurposing expose the spatial trade-offs between gas and hydrogen.

04

Synthetic fuels

E-kerosene and e-methanol are represented at system nodes alongside five import gateways.

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