Start Fuel Amount Column
Column Type = Text
Start Fuel Amount and Start Fuel ID columns can be utilized to represent additional fuel used to start a resource. Like the Start Up Costs field, Start Fuel Amount and Start Fuel ID are to be used for non-cycling (commitment) units. Both columns are required to specify a start fuel.
Data input in the Start Fuel Amount column defines the amount of fuel required to start a resource. The input is specified per MW of capacity and is defined in units of mmBtu/MW/Start. The data conforms to the Aurora time series input structure. This data is used in combination with the Start Fuel ID column and hourly unit capacity to determine the fuel-based start costs for a unit. Start fuel costs are continually updated as fuel costs, start fuel amounts, or unit capacities change. These costs are combined with any additional start costs specified for the unit through the Startup Cost column for use in unit commitment decisions.
Cycling units that specify a start fuel are subject to commitment logic and will run using a 5 to 18 hour commitment period (depending on the economics of running for that period). If this cost is included for non-cycling (commitment) units the costs associated with the start fuel will be included in the commitment decision.
NOTE: With respect to output reporting, the presence of start fuel amounts will only be reflected in the Startup Cost columns of the Resource and ResourceGroup output tables. At this point there is no separate output accounting or reporting for the amount of fuel used for unit startups. Likewise, there is no emissions cost or amount computed or reported for startup fuel use.
NOTE: Inputs can be specified for any time period (annual, monthly, weekly, hourly or sub-hourly). For information on how to specify a time series for a variable, see Entering a Time Series.
Start Fuel Amount Column
