openCEM ISP 2020 update

This release of openCEM includes the following changes:

• Technology updates:

  • Added new entrant version of fuel based technologies to differentiate fuel cost from existing plant
  • Aligned storage options to better align with ISP 2020 variants
  • Included regional cost factors in build cost calculations
  • Snowy 2.0 is now built automatically

• Database updates:

  • Added ISP 2020 technology, fuel and demand projections for 5 development paths.
  • Added latest demand and resource traces
  • Added 5 templates to https://github.com/openCEMorg/openCEM_examples to access datasets

• Improvements:

  • By default, result data is saved in parquet files for easier analysis.
  • By default, csv summaries of output data are produced for easier analysis.
  • Fine tuned constraint scaling to improve numerical performance
  • minor bug fixes

Note: Use one of the templates in https://github.com/openCEMorg/openCEM_examples to run scenarios with this version of openCEM.

Enhanced treatment of coal new entrants, storage and hybrid technologies

The following technologies have been added to openCEM:

• CST with 3 hours of storage
• CST with 12 hours of storage
• PHES with 3 hours of storage
• PHES with 12 hours of storage
• Battery with 1 hour of storage
• Battery with 12 hours of storage
• Separate Black coal for "New entrants" whose fuel costs are higher but efficiencies are better than existing plants
• The CST traces are now by default sourced from the opencem_community database, where "collector only" traces have been generated using data from the Australian Concentrating Solar Thermal Industry Roadmap
• Bug fixes in the interface to define custom costs
• Bug fixes for configuration of unit commitment for coal

Future versions of openCEM will deprecate sample data in favour of hosting example templates and scenarios in the newly published openCEM examples repository

Transmission constraints interim release

Version 2 of openCEM incorporating intra-regional transmission constraints and transmission capacity expansion.

openCEM now establishes bi-directional transmission constraints between NEM planning zones and models transmission using a pipeline or truck-route model. Additional capacity can be built using a $/MW/km cost that can be defined per link.
Links can have assymetric loss factors and maximum transmission limits, however additional capacity builds will apply symmetrically to both directions.

Regional inter-connectors are included as zone transmission links with additional proportioning factors added to loss factors where applicable.

First open beta

Initial public release of openCEM.

Please note that this is a beta version of openCEM and the openCEM app which is still undergoing development and testing before its official release. The platform, its software and all content found on it are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. Should you encounter any bugs, glitches, lack of functionality or other problems on the website, or if you have suggestions for improvements, please let us know. Your help in this regard is greatly appreciated and will help us improve our tool!

Disclaimer:
ITP makes no warranty of any kind, express, implied, in fact or arising by operation of law, including, without limitation, the implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement and data accuracy. ITP neither represents nor warrants that the operation of the software will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that any defects will be corrected. ITP does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use of the software or the results thereof, including but not limited to the correctness, accuracy, reliability or usefulness of the software.