Objective: Evaluation of model presentation of the Lanzarote Energy Conversion, Dec 2016. Occurrence: Even in the industrial world familiar with models, implementation, risk and strategies an occasional misunderstanding of the role of "the model" occurs - in non-technical environments it is common, greatly hinders progress, and can even allow "special interests" to hijack debate. Core insight: The energy "plan" presented for the Island of Lanzarote was in fact a model result. While the model appeared to consider the relevant connections and dependencies, key "tuning-parameters" necessary to decide on a strategy were fixed by the client, in this case the government. Therefore the outcome of the "change of energy system" was a mere reduction in carbon consumption of 1%-2% annually, which by no reasonable definition can be considered a "change".
