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Conversion technologies

Parameter Definition Unit Default
Technology Name The name of the technology; must be unique within the scenario. n/a n/a
Virtual Technology A virtual technology is a technology used purely for accounting purposes in the optimization. It converts one energy carrier to another at zero cost and with 100% efficiency. If set to true, the efficiency, costs, and other values are automatically fixed to these values. n/a n/a
Stages List of stages where the installation and operation of this technology are permitted. n/a n/a
Hubs List of hubs where the installation and operation of this technology are permitted. n/a n/a
Installation Options These options are mutually exclusive, meaning only one can be selected at a time. Options: Can be installed, Must be installed, Must be installed in at least one hub. n/a Can be installed
Primary Modes At least one primary mode must be selected. The primary modes of a technology define which modes are used to calculate costs that depend on capacity. n/a n/a
Seasonal & Hourly Operation Specifies the allowed seasons for the technology's operation. If hourly operation is selected, you can upload a profile with values ranging from 100% to 0%, indicating the max allowable operation per hour as a percentage of installed capacity. % (profile values) n/a
Input Energy Carriers The input energy carriers of a technology mode; you can select multiple. n/a n/a
Output Energy Carriers The output energy carriers of a technology mode; you can select multiple. n/a n/a
Input EC Share For multi-input technologies, defines the ratio between inputs, representing the share of energy contributed by each energy carrier (EC). Values are absolute and can exceed 100. n/a n/a
Output EC Efficiency The conversion efficiency for producing a specific energy carrier in a mode relative to total inputs. % n/a
Primary Output Each technology mode must have a primary output energy carrier defining the mode's capacity for capacity-dependent cost calculations. n/a n/a
Technology Capacity Select whether to optimize capacity or specify capacity manually. n/a n/a
Capacity The pre-defined fixed capacity of the technology mode, determined by primary output energy carriers; visible only if Specify Capacity is selected. kW n/a
Maximum Capacity The maximum allowable capacity of the technology mode, determined by primary output energy carriers; visible only if the Optimize option is selected. kW n/a
Minimum Capacity The minimum allowable capacity of the technology mode, determined by primary output energy carriers; visible only if the Optimize option is selected. kW n/a
Maximum Annual Output The maximum allowable annual energy output of the technology mode, determined by primary output energy carriers. kWh/year n/a
Minimum Annual Output The minimum allowable annual energy output of the technology mode, determined by primary output energy carriers. kWh/year n/a
Curtailment Limitation The percentage of maximum power capacity that cannot be curtailed. For example, 100% means no curtailment is possible. % 100%
Peak Power Ratio of maximum operational power to installed capacity, allowing operation at higher or lower power levels without changing installed capacity or costs. kWmax/kW 1
Minimum Part Load If greater than 0%, indicates the technology's lower operational capacity limit as a percentage of installed capacity. % n/a
Minimum Up Time Constrains the mode to remain operational for a minimum number of hours once started. Hours n/a
Minimum Down Time Constrains the mode to remain non-operational for a minimum number of hours once shut down. Hours n/a
Simultaneous Operation If False, prevents this mode from operating simultaneously with other modes within this technology. n/a True
Lifetime The technical lifetime of the technology in years, used for calculating replacement costs and salvage value. Years n/a
Fixed Investment Cost Fixed investment costs incurred upon installation regardless of size. Currency n/a
Variable Investment Cost Variable investment costs per kW of installed capacity, determined by primary output energy carriers of primary modes. Currency/kW n/a
Fixed O&M Cost Fixed operation and maintenance costs incurred annually. Currency/year n/a
Variable O&M Cost Variable operation and maintenance costs incurred annually, based on: percentage of total investment, per installed kW, or per total production. %/year, Currency/kW/year, Currency/kWh/year n/a
Fixed Replacement Cost Fixed replacement costs incurred when the technology is replaced at end of technical lifetime, regardless of size. Currency/year n/a
Variable Replacement Cost Variable replacement costs incurred when the technology is replaced at end of lifetime, based on percentage of total investment or per installed kW. %, Currency/kW n/a
Fixed Salvage Value Fixed salvage value incurred when the technology is salvaged at end of an investment stage, regardless of size. Currency/year n/a
Variable Salvage Value Variable salvage value incurred when the technology is salvaged at end of an investment stage, based on percentage of total investment or per installed kW. %, Currency/kW n/a
Fixed Embodied CO2 Fixed embodied CO2 emitted when the technology is installed, regardless of size. kg-CO2 n/a
Variable Embodied CO2 Variable embodied CO2 emitted, based on installed kW or total production. kg-CO2/kW, kg-CO2/kWh/year n/a
Variable Captured CO2 CO2 captured during operation, expressed per kWh of total input energy carrier of primary modes. kg-CO2/kWh/year n/a

Certain advanced parameters are not available to users on all plans, but can be added through our add-on options. Contact our customer support team for a demo and to discuss how we could customize these options to your needs.