Inputs and Outputs

This section will cover the inputs and outputs used in iPool and Apollo.

Overview

iPool and Apollo utilize and analyze a variety of data inputs and outputs. Inputs include regional demand, regional generation, bid offers, and events, while outputs include summary reports, charts, the reports tab, and CSV-format reports. These inputs and outputs are essential for conducting market analysis. The outputs consist of various chart and form that provides additional insight on the market analysis.

Input Data Files Overview

There are four primary inputs:

Demand
Generation
Bid offers
Events

Three of these inputs—demand, generation and bid offers—are required to run the simulation.
The outage events input is optional, but it is important for achieving accuracy.

Input Type	Content
Region Demand	MW demand for each dispatch interval of each region
Region Generation	MW generation for each dispatch interval of each region
Bid Offer	Bids for each dispatch interval of each site or unit
Planned Events	Outages and deratings of units, stations, and links
iPool Database	Operational data (pool, regions, stations, units, links)
WESM Files	Includes all the necessary data for running historical load and simulations

Input Format and Default Folder

Input Type	Format	Required?	Default Folder
Region Demand	CSV	✅ Yes	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\Demands`
Region Generation	CSV	✅ Yes	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\Generations`
Bid Offer	Bid file	✅ Yes	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\Bids`
Planned Events	CSV	⚠️ Optional	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\Events`
iPool Database	MS Access	Core DB	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\Databases`
WESM Files	CSV	✅ Yes	`C:\IENERGY\WESM FILES`

WESM Files

Real-Time Data
Week-Ahead Projection
Day-Ahead Projection

File Name	Description	Directory Location
RTD	Unit Generation & Load Demand, Price (LMP & SMP) & MLF	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\RTD`
RTDOR	Reserve Bid Offers (Dr, Ru, Rd, Dr)	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\RTDOR`
RTDOE	Energy Bid Offers	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\RTDOE`
RTDHS	Link Flows	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\RTDHS`
RTDRS	Reserve Schedules	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\RTDRS`
MP	Marginal Unit	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\MP`
RTDOPRSVSUMM	Reserve Prices	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\RTDOPRSVSUMM`

File Name	Description	Directory Location
WAP	Week-ahead Projection	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\WAP`
WAPHS	Link Flows	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\WAPHS`
WAPOPRSVSUMM	Reserve Prices	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\WAPOPRSVSUMM`
WAPOS	Week-ahead Projection Outage Schedule	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\WAPOS`
WAPHL	HVDC Limits Imposed	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\WAPHL`

File Name	Description	Directory Location
DAP	Day-ahead Projection	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\DAP`
DAPHS	Link Flows	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\DAPHS`
DAPOPRSVSUMM	Reserve Prices	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\DAPOPRSVSUMM`
DAPOS	Day-ahead Projection Outage Schedule	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\DAPOS`
DAPHL	HVDC Limits Imposed	`C:\IENERGY\WESMXXXX\WESM FILES\DAPHL`

Output Data Files Overview

iPool simulation results are displayed in the user interface and in output files within the scenario folder. The Summary Report is shown in the browser tab when the root tree item (the scenario object) is selected. For each iPool object in the tree interface, simulation results are available in both the Chart tab and the Report tab.
These results are also generated as CSV files in the Scenarios folder. Additionally, users can use Apollo to access the results for advanced chart customization and to enable the Comparison View.