Overview
This section explains how to create typical bids using Bid Manager. Typical bids are aggregated bid profiles generated from historical bid data and are used to represent common or recurring bidding behavior.
Typical bids can be generated through the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or through a batch script for automated processing. This method is useful for studies that require representative bid patterns rather than exact historical bids, such as forecasting, planning, or scenario simulations.
- Required Inputs
- Step-by-step procedure
- Exercise
Typical Bids
Typical bids are aggregated bid profiles based on historical bid data. They are used when a study requires representative bid patterns — such as forecasting, planning, or scenario simulations — rather than exact historical bids.
Prerequisites
- Historical bid files (
.bidx) already generated and validated for the target period - Folders set in
C:\IENERGY\Defaults.csv(with the Directory Initializer in Scenario Studio), includingDirSub
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow the phases below to configure, generate, validate, and collate aggregated typical bids.
- Phase 1: Generation
- Phase 2: Validation
- Phase 3: Collation
Generate Typical Bids Using Bid Manager
Launch the Aggregator by opening iPoolSuite.exe.
The application is usually located in: C:\Program Files\iPool (all users) or %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\iPool (only for me)
Once the application is open, configure the following:
1. Select the Historical Bid Data
Choose the historical bids that will be used as the source data for aggregation. These historical bids should already be available and properly generated before creating typical bids.
2. Apply Advanced Filters
Update the filters to refine the data that will be included in the aggregation. Configure the following filters as needed:
- Day Type — Select the calendar day type to aggregate:
WORKDAY,SAT, orSUN - Unit Capacity Thresholds by Fuel Type — Set the minimum available capacity threshold for selected unit or fuel types
3. Configure the Time-Period Filter (optional)
If a Time Periods database is set in the Options section, a fourth column — Time-Period Filter — appears in the Aggregator. Use it to restrict aggregation to specific time periods from the database: only bid data that falls within the selected periods is included in the aggregated result. If no time periods are selected in this column, the filter has no effect and all periods are included.
To use the Time-Period Filter:
- In the Options section, set the Time Periods database path.
- The Time-Period Filter column appears automatically once a valid database is loaded.
- Select the periods you want to include in the aggregation.
4. Enter the Output Filename
Enter the desired filename for the typical bid file. Recommended filenames:
WD.bidx— workday typical bidsSAT.bidx— Saturday typical bidsSUN.bidx— Sunday typical bids
5. Execute the Aggregation
Click Run to generate the typical bid file. The generated .bidx file will be
saved in the configured output directory.
Alternative: Generate Typical Bids Using a Batch File
Create a new batch file named RunBidAgg.bat and save it in your working directory.
To generate reliable aggregated bids, use a minimum look-back window of 7 days.
Make sure the Number of Days field, or the -ndays parameter in the batch script,
is set to 7 or more.
Use the latest available historical data relative to the start of the simulation.
Change the date in the -t parameter according to the desired start date of the
bids to aggregate. For example:
-t "20251124"
This date should be updated depending on the historical period that will be used as the source for the typical bids.
Sample Batch File
set "PATH=C:\Program Files\iPool\resources\engine;%PATH%"
REM ==================================================
REM -cap_COAL 70 means for all COAL stations, aggregate only if the available capacity is greater than or equal to 70%.
REM -cap_CCGT 40 means for all CCGT stations, aggregate only if the available capacity is greater than or equal to 40%.
REM -cap 0 means for all other stations, aggregate the available capacity including when it is 0%.
REM -bt WORKDAY means apply only for dates that are WORKDAY calendar day type, Monday to Friday except holidays.
REM Note: If -cap_COAL 70 for WD.bidx does not produce good results, try -cap_COAL 40 and compare the simulation results.
REM Input Folder is DirBid and Output Folder is DirSub in Defaults.csv.
REM -s Filename.bidx saves the typical bid to the Bids folder.
REM ==================================================
bidmanager-aggregator.exe -t "20251124" -ndays 7 -cap 0 -cap_COAL 10 -cap_CCGT 10 -bt SUN -s SUN.bidx -log
bidmanager-aggregator.exe -t "20251124" -ndays 7 -cap 0 -cap_COAL 20 -cap_CCGT 10 -bt SAT -s SAT.bidx -log
bidmanager-aggregator.exe -t "20251124" -ndays 7 -cap 0 -cap_COAL 50 -cap_CCGT 40 -bt WORKDAY -s WD.bidx -log
Batch File Parameter Guide
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
-t | Defines the start date of the historical bids to aggregate. |
-ndays | Defines the number of days included in the aggregation. Use at least 7. |
-cap | Sets the default available capacity threshold for all other stations. |
-cap_COAL | Sets the available capacity threshold for coal stations. |
-cap_CCGT | Sets the available capacity threshold for CCGT stations. |
-bt | Defines the day type to aggregate: WORKDAY, SAT, or SUN. |
-s | Defines the output .bidx filename. |
-log | Generates a log file for checking the aggregation process. |
-timeperiods-db PATH | Path to the Time Periods database file. Enables the Time-Period Filter. Also readable from the TimePeriodsDB key in Defaults.csv or the BIDMANAGER_TIMEPERIODS_DB environment variable. |
-bt DAYBLKID | Time-period filter identifier (for example, WEEKDAY or WEEKEND). Repeatable — pass once per period to include. Requires -timeperiods-db. If omitted, all periods are included. |
Verify the Generated Files
After generating the typical bids, check that the output files were created properly.
Navigate to the output directory:
C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\Bids
Confirm that the expected .bidx files exist (for example: WD.bidx, SAT.bidx,
SUN.bidx).
Check the following:
- The
.bidxfiles were successfully generated - The filenames match the intended day types
- The files are not empty
- The generated files are saved in the correct Bids folder
- The log file does not contain critical errors
Once the files are verified, they can be used as typical bid inputs for simulation.
Collate the Typical Bids into a Bid Set
To use the generated typical bid files as a cohesive set, create a mapping CSV file
named TypBids.csv. This file links each calendar day type to the corresponding
typical bid file.
Create the CSV file in your project folder using the following format:
WORKDAY,WD.bidx
SUN,SUN.bidx
SAT,SAT.bidx
This allows the system to automatically select the appropriate typical bid based on the day type being simulated:
- Workdays will use
WD.bidx - Sundays will use
SUN.bidx - Saturdays will use
SAT.bidx
Replace WESMXXXX with the correct project or study folder.
Before generating typical bids, make sure that the historical bids have already been created and validated.
Exercise
Give it a try and do this exercise:
Step 1 of 3
Launch Suite and open the Aggregator tab