Handling Shells

The energy systems model TIAM was developed using the VEDA approach to TIMES model specification. VEDA2.0 is a data management system used to manage TIMES model input data and analyse results of optimisation. Via a UI, VEDA allows creating, maintaining, browsing and modifying model databases.

VEDA reads TIMES model data (e.g. ETSAP-TIAM), specified in Excel files, into an internal database. Using the interface, one can specify which input data should be used for a specific model run. In order to solve the model, VEDA outputs the input values, constraints and the objective function to GAMS which uses the data together with TIMES source code. GAMS stands for Generic Algebraic Modeling System. It is an efficient modeling language used to formulate optimisation problems [2]. After the model is solved, the solution is read by VEDA. It facilitates the analysis of results by filtering the data and displaying it as tables and charts. A simplified schematic showing interrelation between the model data inputs, VEDA, TIMES source code, GAMS and the model output is shown in Figure 1.

Interrelation between TIMES model data, VEDA, TIMES source code, GAMS and the model output Figure 1: Block diagram of the interrelation between TIMES model data, VEDA, TIMES source code, GAMS and the model output [1].

References

[1] “ETSAP, VEDA Description”, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.iea-etsap.org/index.php/etsap-tools/data-handling-shells/veda.

[2] “GAMS- General Algebraic Modelling System”, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.gams.com/.