Projects

We operate in the following four areas:

Methodology development

We develop energy and environment models based on state-of-the-art economic and mathematical paradigms, involving optimization, equilibrium computation, and probability theory. Our team has developed the TIMES model generator and implemented a number of applications at the global, regional, and country levels.

Capacity building

We help people set-up their own energy-environment models. This usually involves building some customized software as well. Clients include the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), the Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (ETSAP), The USDOE Energy Information Administration, Electricity de France, and the US EPA.

Policy consulting

We use advanced mathematical techniques and tools, mathematical economic models such as MARKAL, TIMES, and others, to facilitate the quantitative evaluation of complex energy/environment scenarios and policies such as:-

• Optimal response to imposed limits on the emission of greenhouse gases.
• Economic evaluation of environmental and energy measures and actions.
• Assessment of policies and measures to reduce emissions of local and regional pollutants including Nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulates, volatile organic compounds, mercury, originating in the energy sector.
• Evaluation of strategies for enhancing energy security and environmentally friendly energy systems, including increased energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Our clients include the federal and provincial governments of Canada, US DOE (Energy Information Administration), US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and IEA (International Energy Agency).

Software

We have developed two main applications specifically designed to support data-handling around large- scale mathematical models: VEDA-FrontEnd supports MARKAL and TIMES models, and is being used in several multi-region applications in USA and Europe. VEDA-BackEnd is a very versatile and powerful interface to look at a variety of data, including results from models. It is particulary easy to use with GAMS models; a utility GDX2VEDA generates the required input files, which configure VEDA (on the fly) to the structure of any model.

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