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The successful realization of the climate goals agreed upon in the European Union's COP21 commitments makes a fundamental change of the European energy system necessary. In particular, for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 80%, the use of renewable energies must be increased not only in the electricity sector but also across all energy sectors, such as heat and mobility. Furthermore, a progressive integration of renewable energies increases the risk of congestions in the transmission grid and makes network expansion necessary. An efficient planning for future energy systems must comprise the coupling of energy sectors as well as interdependencies of generation and transmission grid infrastructure. However, in traditional energy system planning, these aspects are considered as decoupled. Therefore, the project PlaMES develops an approach for integrated planning of multi-energy systems on a European scale. This paper aims at analyzing the model requirements and describing the modeling approach.

In the Upper-Silesian Coal Basin in southern Poland large areas of coal mine waste heaps, riverbanks and shoulders of transportation routes built of coal mine waste are biologically restored by the initiation of soil-forming processes. The purpose of this research was to determine, using laboratory research and observation "in situ" (field), some physical and chemical properties of mixtures of topsoil composed in the forming process (coal mine waste and sewage sludge), before placing them on the coal mine waste heaps and riverbanks, and after a period of 1-3 years, when the layer has been fully penetrated by root mass. Adequate physical properties of topsoil in the process of forming mixtures protect the spoil-banks against erosion. Poor water retention ability should be taken into consideration when selecting the plants for biological restoration. High levels of macro components and increased sorption guarantee long and appropriate supply of nutrients. The application of analysed soil-forming mixtures for biological restoration of coal mine waste heaps and spoil-banks, along with proper selection of plants, assist in maintaining a durable, self-sustaining ecosystem.

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