Model Documentation

Comprehensive documentation included with every model

Complete transparency. Every VerveStacks model includes comprehensive documentation that travels with the model, ensuring you understand exactly what you’re working with.

Documentation Structure

Each VerveStacks model includes a detailed README.md file that provides complete information about the model’s construction, data sources, and validation results.

Processing Parameters

Individual Plant Tracking: Detailed breakdown of power plant coverage, showing which facilities are tracked individually versus aggregated by technology.
CCS Retrofit Potential: Analysis of carbon capture and storage retrofit opportunities for existing coal and gas plants, including capacity penalties and technical feasibility.
Capacity Thresholds: Clear documentation of modeling thresholds and aggregation decisions for different plant sizes and technologies.

Data Sources & Coverage

Primary Data Sources - Global Energy Monitor (GEM): Individual power plant specifications, locations, and technical parameters - IRENA Statistics: Global renewable capacity and generation data (2000-2022) - EMBER Climate: Electricity generation, capacity, and emissions tracking - REZoning-Atlite Integration: Enhanced renewable characterization with weather-based capacity factors

Coverage Statistics: Quantified data coverage including percentage of capacity from plant-level data, total plants tracked, and missing capacity estimates.
Data Processing Notes: Transparent documentation of data gaps, assumptions made, and quality assurance procedures applied.

Model Structure

File Organization - Source Data: Model-agnostic Excel format for maximum compatibility - VEDA Model Files: Complete TIMES-compatible model ready for execution - Scenario Files: NGFS climate scenarios and policy assumptions - Documentation: Complete methodology and validation results

Advanced Features (When Applicable)

Temporal Modeling

For models with timeslice analysis:

Stress Period Identification: Sophisticated analysis identifying critical operational periods including scarcity (renewable shortage), surplus (excess generation), and volatile (high variability) periods.
Visual Analysis: Comprehensive charts showing renewable energy patterns, stress periods, and timeslice aggregation justification.
Multi-Scale Resolution: Base aggregation with critical period enhancement for operational realism.

Grid Modeling

For models with spatial resolution:

Network Visualization: Interactive maps showing transmission infrastructure, power plant locations, and renewable energy zones.
Spatial Clustering: Documentation of demand regions, generation clusters, and renewable zones with geographic validation.
Transmission Modeling: Net transfer capacity estimation and grid constraint analysis.

AR6 Climate Scenarios

For models with climate integration:

Scenario Analysis: Detailed breakdown of IPCC AR6 pathways including CO2 pricing, electricity growth, hydrogen deployment, and transport electrification.
Regional Context: Country-specific analysis within broader regional decarbonization patterns.
Policy Insights: Quantified implications of different climate ambition levels for national energy planning.

Quality Assurance

Validation Framework: Every model undergoes systematic validation against historical data, cross-dataset consistency checks, and geographic verification.
Transparency Standards: Complete data lineage documentation showing the path from global datasets to model parameters.
Reproducibility: All processing steps documented with clear methodology for independent verification.
Known Limitations: Honest assessment of data gaps, modeling assumptions, and recommended use cases.

Accessing Documentation

README Location: The comprehensive README.md file is included in every model download and provides immediate access to all documentation.
Live Updates: Documentation is regenerated with each model update, ensuring current information about data sources and methodology.
User-Friendly Format: Documentation uses clear language and visual elements, making technical information accessible to policy analysts and researchers.
Complete Traceability: Every parameter and assumption can be traced back to its source data and processing logic.

Documentation Philosophy

User-Centered: Documentation focuses on what users need to know to apply the model effectively, not implementation details.
Assumption Transparency: All modeling choices, data gaps, and limitations are clearly documented and justified.
Visual Communication: Extensive use of charts, maps, and diagrams to communicate complex technical information clearly.
Professional Standards: Documentation meets academic and policy analysis standards for transparency and reproducibility.