Influence of accuracy in energy system modeling to profitability analysis of pumped-storage power plants

In this paper, a fundamental optimization model containing the German generation and energy storage system has been used to analyze the profitability of pumped-storage power plants within the German energy market. As a result of the optimization, energy prices are calculated based on the power plants' marginal costs according to the merit order principle. This paper demonstrates the influence of increasing model accuracy in the underlying optimization model on the optimization results, particularly regarding the profitability of pumped-storage power plants.