Simulator 16 User Guide - PowerWorld

Generator Cost Data Format (*.gcd)
These files are outdated for Simulator version 8.0 and later. Their descriptions are still maintained here
as they can still be read into Simulator. However, they can no longer be saved. These records are now
stored in Auxiliary Script/Data Files.
The generator cost data file contains the parameters used to model the generator operating costs.
Each record in the generator cost data file specifies the operating cost model for a single generator.
The cost model may be either a cubic polynomial or a piecewise linear curve. When reading a file of
generator cost data records, Simulator will open the Cost Curve Data Options Dialog below. This
dialog gives you additional control over the input and process of generator cost information.
Each generator cost data record begins with the fields
where
num or name, ID,
num/name the generator’s bus number or the bus’ name in single quotes,
ID the generator’s single character id,
Following the ID field is an optional single-character field CostModel that specifies the type of cost
model. If CostModel is ‘CUBIC’ or is not specified, the record describes a cubic cost model and thus
concludes with the following fields:
ai, bi, ci, di, FuelCost ParFac
where
ai, bi, ci, di input-output curve coefficients; see Generator Cost Information for details,
fuelcost fuel cost, expressed in price per Mbtu,
ParFac generator participation factor.
If, on the other hand, CostModel is ‘PLIN’, the record describes a piecewise linear cost model. The
remainder of the record specifies pairs of generator output and corresponding generator cost:
FixedCost MW1 IncCost1 MW2 IncCost2 … MWn IncCostn MWneg ParFac
where
FixedCost Operation cost independent of the generator’s MW output; expressed in $/Hr,
MWi, IncCosti Output/incremental cost data point pairs that define the incremental cost model
for the generator (note IncCosti has the units $/MWhr),
MWneg An arbitrary negative value used to terminate the record,
ParFac generator participation factor.
Cost Curve Data Options Dialog
The Cost Curve Data Options Dialog gives you additional control over the input and processing
of generator cost information. It appears when you try to read generator cost information from an
auxiliary data file (either .aux or .gcd).
To command Simulator to turn all units onto automatic generation control (AGC) for which it reads a
cost data record, check the first checkbox. This box has the rather lengthy label "If a unit for which
a cost curve is read is not on AGC, Simulator should set it on AGC." In other words, if a cost curve is
read for a particular generator, that generator will be set on AGC if this box is checked.
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