Energy models that are used for policy study about energy and environment were developed as following orders. First, energy models that focus on specific energy technologies that are gigantic technologies to need long-term development plan and huge cost such as nuclear technologies.

Since latter half of 1980’s when global warming is important topic, energy models that include overall energy systems and CO2 emission have been developed. The first energy model that focused on policy study about global warming is Edmonds-Reilly model developed in the United States that is a simulation type model. ETA-MACRO and DICE model developed in the United States are typical optimization model that evaluate global energy, economy, and environment. In addition, GLUE model developed in Japan is a typical model that evaluates global bioenergy supply potential considering land use competitions and overall biomass flows.