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PLEXOS 6.205 Release Notes

Released: March 26, 2012

Updated: -

PLEXOS 6.205 is a minor point update from 6.204. In this note we cover all updates from 6.203-5.

We start with an overview of the key points that all upgraders should read and then go point-by-point through

all changes and new features.

1 What You Need to Know

Your 6.20x(or 5.201) database will be upgraded automatically and should function just as before. There should

be no manual upgrading required. Databases upgraded from 6.1xversions might require some post-upgrade

changes as described in the Release Notes for 6.201.

1.1

Changes

The following algorithmic changes have been implemented in this version:

1. The Convergent Monte Carlo method has been changed so that convergence of outages is performed

individually for each Generator/Line rather than across each Region. This change means that setting the

Generator/Line [Random Number Seed] property will guarantee that outage sequences are repeatable

across simulations with different numbers of Generator/Line objects whereas previously the linking of

expected outage overall each Region meant that adding objects would result in different sequences of

outages. This point does not apply to standard Monte Carlo for which results are always repeatable

when seeds are set.

2.

Generator/Line [Maintenance Frequency] is now handled by the Standard Monte Carlo method.

Previously the Convergent Monte Carlo method was invoked whenever this property was defined.

3. In the case where Stochastic [Risk Sample Count] (or [Reduced Sample Count] is not equal to [Outage

Pattern Count] the previous approach of randomly assigning outage patterns to samples is replaced by

a simple ordered assignment. The above changes result in a difference in sequence of random draws for

many models compared to 6.202 and earlier.

4. When a text file is read into a simulation and the data in that file needs to be upscaled, e.g.the file

contains hourly data but the simulation is running in 10-minute intervals, the method used for

upscaling is controlled by the new Data File attribute [Upscaling Method]. Previously the upscaling

method varied depending on the file format, but in this version the upscaling method default to

Interpolate and you must deliberately set the method to Step if that is the appropriate approach e.g.

for reading data into integer properties like Generator [Commit] or [Units Out].

1.2

Features

1.2.1 Modelling Day-ahead, Real time/balancing Markets

A number of input properties have been added to aid in modelling day-ahead and real-time markets (and

balancing markets). For example the Generator properties [Pump Bid Base], [Pump Bid Quantity], [Pump Bid

Price] provide a means of linking day-ahead pumped storage solutions to real-time (balancing) simulation. An

alternative here is [Fixed Pump Load] and [Fixed Pump Load Penalty]. These properties mirror the generation-

side properties [Offer Base], [Offer Quantity] and [Offer Price] and the alternative approach of using [FixedLoad] with [Fixed Load Penalty].

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1.2.2

Interleaved Run Mode

Interleaved run mode is a significant new modelling feature targeted at customers running day-ahead and real-

time models back-to-back, or other combinations such as unconstrained versus constrained simulations. This

run mode takes care of passing solution data between two simulations in much the same manner as is used

now (via text files). What is unique about this run mode is that the simulation steps are interleaved, and initial

conditions are passed back from the second simulation (e.g.real-time) to the first (e.g.day-ahead) at each stage.

For example, it means that the second step of day-ahead will begin with initial conditions read from the end ofthe first day of real-time, rather than the ending conditions of day-ahead step one. The result is highly realistic

simulations of real market operations, and the effect of constraints and forecast error on system efficiency.

This run mode is switched on via the Model Interleaved membership i.e.one Model execution is identified as

being interleaved with another Model. For example Model Day-aheadInterleaved Run-timeor Model

UnconstrainedInterleaved Constrained.

Refer to the help on the Model class and Balancing Markets article for more details.

1.2.3 Sample Reduction

Sample reduction takes the raw generated samples (Stochastic [Risk Sample Count]) and reduces these to asmall number (Stochastic [Reduced Sample Count]) for use in the simulation. This reduction is done

statistically using a Scenario Tree approach. More information is available in the help. This feature is

particularly useful for stochastic optimization where the number of samples included in the optimization can

have a big impact on solution times.

1.2.4 Pump Load Bidding

The new input properties Generator [Pump Bid Base], [Pump Bid Quantity] and [Pump Bid Price] define

balancing market (real-time) bids for pumped storage generatorspump load. See the article Balancing

Markets for more details.

1.2.5

Hydro Head Effects

New properties on the Generator Head Storage membership ([Efficiency Point] and [Efficiency Scalar]) allow

for the modelling of the effect of head (storage level) on the efficiency of hydro generation. This convenient and

powerful feature is described in the help and in the Hydro Modellingdocument. Please refer to this

documentation for details.

1.2.6 Improved support for real-time market data

New attributes have been added to the Data File class that can help when reading data that has come from

market systems:

The Data File [Locale] attribute is used to set the LCID (culture information) for the file and applies

when the file uses a DATETIME field. Setting this ensures that the date and times in the file will be read

correctly regardless of the local machines culture settings.

The Data File [Datetime Convention] attribute controls how the time part of the DATETIME is

interpreted. Real-time market data often uses the convention of labelling dispatch intervals according

to the end time of the interval. For example the first half-hour of the day might be labelled 12:30 rather

than the planning convention of labelling this period 12:00. This attribute allows you to read data with

End of Period convention as well as the default Beginning of Period.

We have also added Report [Datetime Convention] attribute which controls the output of DATETIME fields in

both text and database solutions. Thus you can output data with End of Period convention for times if that

suits the market being studied.

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1.2.7

LDC Type

LT Plan and MT Schedule now support [LDC Type] = Year.

1.2.8 Pass-through Properties

Most classes of object new support pass-through properties with the generic names x, y, z. These inputs

are passed through to the solution and do not affect the simulation. They are useful for passing real market

results through to the solution so they can be easily compared to simulated results inside the user interface. For

example you may want to pass the actual market prices through as Region [x] so that this can be compared to

Region [Price] in the solution. Note that the user interface does not yet support editing these property names,

but they can be changed directly in the XML input file and the simulation engine will preserve those changed

names in the solution.

1.3

Line and Interface Offers

The Line and Interface classes now implement the full range of offer properties including balancing market

offers using [Offer Base].

1.4

Release Status

The following table acts as a guide to the symbols shown next to those "unfinished" features at this time:

Meaning

Complete and ready for use.

n The feature was implemented in Version nand so is only available in that version or later.

Unfinished but usable e.g.the documentation or full testing might not be complete yet but the feature is

basically functional and has passed a reasonable level of testing.

Not yet implemented. Dont use this feature until we release an update with it finished.

2

User InterfaceImprovements have been made to the dynamic property grid editing and pasting functions, and in the solution

viewer the duration curves and logarithmic functions are improved.

3 New Inputs

The following table lists all the new input properties available in this release. Please refer to the help for

detailed information.

Collection Property Relates to

Generator Fixed Pump Load Day-ahead to real-time/balancing marketsFixed Pump Load Penalty

Pump Bid Base

Pump Bid Quantity

Pump Bid Price

Fixed Charge Input of generic fixed cost components with multiple

bands

Commission Date Automatic retirement of incumbent plant based on

[Technical Life] in LT Plan

Include in Uplift Switches a generators costs in/out of uplift 6.205

Generator Head Storage Efficiency Point Hydro head effects 6.204

R02

Efficiency Scalar 6.204

R02

Generator Tail Storage Flow Point

Efficiency Scalar

Storage Recycle Penalty Allows the endogenous recycle target constraints to be 6.205

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soft constraints.

Emission Max Production Penalty Allows for emission limits defined with [Max Production

Day/Week/Month/Year] to be soft constraints.

6.205

Emission Generators Price Scalar Enhancement to existing [Shadow Price Scalar] property

Reserve Include in LT Plan Switches the Reserve class on/off in LT Plan 6.205

Include in MT Schedule in MT Schedule 6.205

Include in ST Schedule in ST Schedule 6.205

Reserve Generators Max Response Factor Alternative to existing [Max Response] property

Max Sync Cond Response Factor Alternative to existing [Max Sync Cond Response]

property

Max Pump Response Factor Alternative to existing [Max Pump Response] property

Max Replacement Factor Alternative to existing [Max Replacement] property

Line Fixed Flow Penalty Enhancement to existing [Fixed Flow] property

Offer Base Day-ahead to real-time/balancing markets

Fixed Charge As above for Generator

Interface Units To make Interface class consistent with other

transmission classes that have a Units on/off switch

Fixed Flow Day-ahead to real-time/balancing markets

Fixed Flow Penalty

Offer Base

Offer Quantity Offer Price

Offer Quantity Back

Offer Price Back

Constraint Generators Pump Units Started Coefficient For use in modelling pay-back of demand response

schemes

Data File Upscaling Method Handling text data files of different resolution to

simulation

Downscaling Method

Datetime Convention Support for use of DATETIME as end of period

Locale Specifies the culture for the Data File which affects

reading of DATETIME fields

Model Execution Order Controlling execution order of Models in a batch runLoad Custom Assemblies Controls if the Model will load custom OpenPLEXOS

assemblies. This switch allows user-developed

OpenPLEXOS functions to be turned on/off by Model.

Interleaved (collection) Indicates that two Models should be run in interleaved

mode.

LT Plan Maintenance Sculpting Allows for control over when LT Plan sculpts

maintenance derating of plant.

Report Datetime Convention Support for use of DATETIME as end of period

Locale Specifies the culture for the text solution files which

affects writing of DATETIME fields

Flat File Format Controls the format of text solution files allowing the

DATETIME field to be replaced with YEAR, MONTH, DAY.

6.205

Stochastic Convergence Period Type Convergent Monte Carlo

Reduced Sample Count Sample reduction in multi-sample simulations using

Variable objects

Reduction Relative Accuracy

Forced Outages in Look-ahead Day-ahead to real-time/balancing markets

Performance Small MIP Improve Start Gap Performance of mixed-integer programming models

MIP Improve Start Gap

4 Moved Inputs

N/A

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5 Input Changes

Some properties are renamed as in the following table.

Collection Old Name New Name

Constraint Generators Spare Capacity Reserve Coefficient Spinning Reserve Coefficient

Pump Interruptible Load Coefficient Pump Dispatchable Load Coefficient

Stochastic Monte Carlo Outage Patterns Outage Pattern Count

Monte Carlo Weibull Shape Weibull ShapeMonte Carlo Convergent Smoothing Convergent Smoothing

Monte Carlo Outage Scope Outage Scope

Generator Dark Spread Clean Spark Spread

6 New Outputs

Collection Property Note

Generator Ramp Up The total megawatt of ramping up doneMinutes of Ramp Up complementary to Generator [Ramp Up]

Ramp Down The total megawatt of ramping down done

Minutes of Ramp Down complementary to Generator [Ramp Down]

Pump Units Started Goes with new input Constraint Generators [Pump

Units Started Coefficient]

Fixed Pump Load See above input Generator [Fixed Pump Load]

Fixed Pump Load Violation

Hours of Fixed Pump Load Violation

Fixed Pump Load Violation Cost

Pump Bid Base See above input Generator [Pump Bid Base]

Pump Bid Quantity

Pump Bid Price Pump Bid Cleared

Cleared Pump Bid Price

Cleared Pump Bid Cost

Pump Price Paid

Forced Outage Rate Additional reporting of outages

Maintenance Rate

Emission Max Production Violation Reporting of emission constraint violations 6.205

Max Production Violation Cost 6.205

Reserve Generators Spinning Reserve Provision More explicit reporting of Reserve [Provision]

Sync Cond Reserve Provision

Pump Dispatchable Load Provision

Non-spinning Reserve Provision Region Min Load Opposite of existing [Peak Load]

Region Regions Available Transfer Capability Back Directional version of existing ATC output

Zone Min Load As above

Zone Zones Available Transfer Capability Back As above

Node Min Load As above

Line Fixed Flow Enhanced reporting of existing Line [Fixed Flow]

solution

Fixed Flow Violation

Hours of Fixed Flow Violation

Fixed Flow Violation Cost

Offer Base See above input Line [Offer Base]

Cleared Offer Price Enhanced reporting of Line offer solution

Cleared Offer Cost

Available Transfer Capability Back As above

Forced Outage Rate Additional reporting of outages

Maintenance Rate

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Transformer Available Transfer Capability Back As above

Interface Fixed Flow See above input Interface [Fixed Flow]

Fixed Flow Violation

Hours of Fixed Flow Violation

Fixed Flow Violation Cost

Offer Base See above input Interface [Offer Base]

Offer Quantity

Offer Price

Offer Quantity Back

Offer Price Back

Offer Cleared

Offer Cleared Back

Cleared Offer Price

Cleared Offer Cost

Available Transfer Capability Back As above

7

Changed OutputsN/A

Collection Property Notes

If you have comments or questions please contactsupport@energyexemplar.com

The Energy Exemplar Development Team

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