Not Guessing, But Shaping: Researcher Dr. Paul Deane’s Approach to the Energy Transition with PLEXOS®

What does the future of energy look like? If you ask Dr. Paul Deane, it’s not a guessing game, it’s something we can shape through strategic decisions and advanced modeling. For nearly two decades, Dr. Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork in Ireland, has been using PLEXOS® to tackle the complexities of the energy transition, from cutting carbon emissions to ensuring grid reliability. 

His work spans both academic research and real-world consulting, offering valuable insights into how PLEXOS helps solve some of the biggest energy challenges we face today. As part of our 25th anniversary, this blog post is a celebration of Dr. Deane’s long-standing relationship with Energy Exemplar and his contributions to the platform and real-world projects.

PLEXOS: A Tool for Understanding the Future

Dr. Deane has always been passionate about finding solutions to the complex energy problems facing the world. Using PLEXOS as a central tool, his work focuses on understanding how to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. 

“PLEXOS lets us imagine thousands of possible futures,” Dr. Deane explains. “With powerful computing, we can model multiple scenarios and find common patterns—like the need for electrification and renewable energy. PLEXOS really helps me understand the future, understand the risks, the uncertainties. If you can understand those risks and qualify them, you reduce uncertainty. If you reduce uncertainty, you reduce the cost, and if you reduce the cost, you increase the likelihood of success." 

Through PLEXOS, Dr. Deane and his students can seek answers to various questions, for example, how much electricity will be required for future needs, from powering electric cars to heating homes, all while ensuring affordability and reliability. The flexibility of the platform allows them to ask critical questions about what will be necessary to build a sustainable energy system—providing a blueprint for the future. 

PLEXOS in Academia: Empowering Future Energy Leaders

In the academic world, Dr. Deane has integrated PLEXOS into his research and teaching, using it to help students understand the complexities of energy systems. By simulating various energy transition pathways, students can see firsthand how decisions made today will impact the future. 

“One of the best things about PLEXOS is its transparency,” Dr. Deane says. “Students can lift the hood and look at the equations that govern energy flows, ensuring they’re not just guessing outcomes but are working with verifiable data.” This ability to experiment and test scenarios builds confidence, providing future energy leaders with the tools they need to tackle the world’s energy challenges. 

Beyond the classroom, PLEXOS has also been used in groundbreaking research projects. Dr. Deane has collaborated with governments and academic institutions to advise on policy and investments in renewable energy. By providing detailed insights into energy costs and security, PLEXOS helps decision-makers develop informed strategies for the transition away from fossil fuels.

Commercial Applications of PLEXOS: Real-World Impact

While Dr. Deane’s academic use of PLEXOS is extensive, the platform’s commercial applications have been equally impactful. His team at University College Cork has used PLEXOS for consulting projects with both national and international organizations. For example, working with the Irish government, Dr. Deane has used PLEXOS to provide detailed forecasts on how renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, will reduce the reliance on fossil fuels while ensuring grid reliability. 

“PLEXOS allows us to quantify everything, from how much gas will be needed in 10 years to how many hours a renewable energy plant will run,” Dr. Deane shares. “This data is invaluable for investors and policymakers alike because it offers them the confidence they need to make informed decisions about the future.”

The Power of PLEXOS World 

In addition to his research, Dr. Deane co-developed PLEXOS World with Maarten Brinkerink, a global academic model designed to simulate how power plants operate across the world. The model, available for free to academics, enables users to digitally represent their own country’s energy system and test different assumptions. PLEXOS World provides an opportunity for researchers, students, and policymakers to ask critical questions and explore various energy transition pathways. 

“PLEXOS World shows that modeling energy systems on a global scale is no longer a challenge,” says Dr. Deane. “We’ve made it accessible for academics around the world, and it’s a great example of how advanced computing and powerful software like PLEXOS can provide detailed insights into future energy needs.”

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future with PLEXOS

For over two decades, Dr. Deane’s work with Energy Exemplar has been instrumental in advancing energy modeling. Reflecting on this journey, he notes, "The story of PLEXOS is incredible—the scalability of the software, the robustness, the resilience, the transparency. It's been fascinating to watch it grow from a small operation into an incredibly powerful tool for understanding the future."  

For Dr. Deane, the future of energy is optimistic. He believes that with the continued use of tools like PLEXOS, we can better understand the energy landscape and make decisions that will benefit both the planet and its people. 

“The energy transition isn’t going to be easy,” he reflects. “There will be challenges, but with the right tools, we can plan for them. PLEXOS gives us the ability to create blueprints for a cleaner, more secure energy future. That’s incredibly powerful.”

Modelers - Architects of the Future

As Energy Exemplar celebrates its 25th anniversary, Dr. Deane credits both the company and its community of modelers as "architects for the future," fostering a culture of shared insights and collaborative problem-solving. "There's a lovely culture and community, not only within Energy Exemplar but also within the modeling community," he shares. "I think of modelers as architects for the future, bringing together our challenges, problems, failures, and successes." This partnership has not only shaped his career but also continues to influence the wider energy sector, empowering researchers and decision-makers worldwide. 

Hear more from Dr. Paul Deane in this video recorded at Xcelerate Barcelona.