Tutorials¶
Welcome to the PowerGenome tutorials! These step-by-step guides will teach you how to use PowerGenome effectively.
Learning Path¶
We recommend completing these tutorials in order:
1. Getting Started¶
Install PowerGenome, understand the basic workflow, and run your first model. You'll learn:
- How to install PowerGenome
- The structure of a PowerGenome project
- How to run the command-line interface
- How to examine the output files
Time: ~30 minutes Prerequisites: Basic command-line knowledge
2. Building a Multi-Region Model¶
Create a model with multiple regions and transmission constraints. You'll learn:
- How to define model regions (base regions and aggregated regions)
- How PowerGenome's regional hierarchy works
- How to configure transmission between regions
- How to set regional parameters
Time: ~45 minutes Prerequisites: Complete "Getting Started"
3. Working with Renewable Resources¶
Configure wind and solar resources with generation profiles. You'll learn:
- How renewable resource groups work
- How to filter and cluster renewable sites
- How to configure interconnection costs
- How to customize resource characteristics by region
Time: ~45 minutes Prerequisites: Complete "Getting Started"
Before You Begin¶
Make sure you have:
- Python 3.8 or higher installed
- Basic familiarity with YAML file format
- A text editor or IDE for editing configuration files
- Enough disk space for data files (~5-10 GB depending on scope)
Data Requirements¶
PowerGenome uses data from multiple sources. The tutorials use small test datasets, but for real studies you'll need:
- Generator data (from EIA via PUDL)
- Technology cost data (NREL ATB)
- Generation profiles for renewables
- Demand time series
- Transmission network data
See the Configure Data Tables guide for details on obtaining and configuring data sources.
Need Help?¶
If you get stuck: