Methodology
Existing assets
This page discusses how Scenario Builder uses existing asset data, an essential starting input for energy system modelling.
Every model begins with a snapshot of the current energy system, including all existing generation (power plants), storage (e.g. batteries), and transmission (major power lines) assets. For each asset, the following information is required:
- Capacity (MW): The capacity of operating assets in the model’s start year, referred to as ‘Residual Capacity’ in the TZ-OSeMOSYS framework. Assets that are under construction or committed are included in the future system.
- Location: Latitude and longitude coordinates.
- Year of construction: The commissioning year of the asset.
- Operational life: The expected number of years the asset remains in service.
Data sourcing standards for existing assets is detailed below.
Data sourcing standards – existing assets
| Input variable | Model type | Gold Standard (‘Best in Class’) | Silver Standard (‘Good’) | Bronze Standard (‘Publishable’) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power plant data - current (location, capacity, fuel, technology, start year, operational life) | CE & UD | Asset-by-asset validation and gap-filling by TransitionZero’s country analysts. | Asset-by-asset validation. | Global datasets. |
| Interconnector data - current (location, capacity, technology, start year, operational life) | CE & UD | Asset-by-asset validation and gap-filling by TransitionZero’s country analysts. | Global Transmission database with subnational or grid zone gap-filling. | Country-level copper plate from Global Transmission database, national or subnational level (grid-zone). |