Computer Requirements

Hardware Recommendations

a 64-bit system and at least 8GB of RAM are recommended for optimal user experience and memory intensive zonal  studies such as:

  • Running granular topologies like the Eastern Interconnect
  • Using constrained dispatch logic
  • Performing a long-term run with numerous new resource candidates

Additionally, intensive nodal studies requires a 64-bit system with 16GB RAM for most systems, or 32GB for large East Interconnect studies.

Energy Exemplar typically recommends new systems be purchased with the fastest processor and lowest latency RAM currently available.  

An example of an optimal system capable of performing all study types is shown below.

High Performance 64-bit Systems

Additionally, OverClocking, or HyperClocking™ (as it is referred to by specific manufacturers) can also increase performance. OverClocking is the process of increasing the clock speed of a CPU higher than the originally intended speed set by the component manufacturer.

NOTE: For all hardware configurations, a total of 1.65GB of free hard drive space is required for the install, with 1.5GB required on the system drive (150MB can be directed to other storage locations). There should also be enough free hard disk space available for output database(s) and the virtual memory settings. Very large outputs can be created based on what you specify in output reporting, so judicious output reporting selection is highly recommended. Contact Support for assistance.

Software Requirements

Software Recommendations

Operating System Compatibility

Other System Considerations

In the case of SQL Server, we recommend using the Express Edition of SQL Server on clients’ machines where Aurora will be run or the full edition of SQL Server on a central server dedicated to Aurora use. We do not recommend running full SQL Server installations on the same workstation/server that Aurora is run on. The memory usage of SQL Server does not allow Aurora to run at maximum performance levels.

The Use Parallel Processes setting, selected from the Logic settings of the Simulation Options window, will perform certain parts of the simulation in parallel. On a quad-core machine, with nothing else running, will improve run times anywhere from 10 – 50% based on the study settings.  Further, when the option, "Parallelize the Run Across Years," is also selected on multi-year zonal studies, the study years will be run simultaneously further reducing the overall run time.  Even with the way that Aurora will attempt to use all of the available processors on a machine, Energy Exemplar generally recommends obtaining computers with higher single thread ratings as opposed to machines with slower thread ratings but more available processor cores.

In multi-core/multi-user environments, the memory requirements of Aurora scale nicely in a linear fashion.  There are no memory-synergies related to multiple instances.  So, for example, if a study needs up to 6GB of RAM, then running 8 instances in parallel on 8 CPU-cores would require 8 * 6GB = 48GB of RAM.  Additionally, if a single study requires 25% CPU to complete, 4 simultaneous studies would consume 100% of the CPU.  Running more than 4 simultaneous studies in this instance would cause a slowdown of the run times for all  the studies.

The exact memory requirements vary based on several factors. Some of the factors that can have a significant impact on memory requirements for Aurora in multi-core/multi-user environments are:

However, CPU usage will not scale linearly. Each additional instance of Aurora will create significant system CPU overhead related to managing the multiple processes.  Additionally, memory and I/O channels are limited in multi-core processor environments and can cause significant bottlenecks that result in degraded performance. The amount of performance degradation depends heavily on the specific hardware of the computer but is also affected by the number of simultaneous instances, the number of zones in the consolidation to be solved, and other project settings.  Energy Exemplar recommends customer testing in their intended multi-core environment to determine how to maximize productivity for Aurora runs.

NOTE: When running Gurobi Optimizer on a virtual machine, some of these identifiers may change if you "copy" the virtual machine. To migrate a virtual machine to a new host, select the option in your virtualization system to "move" the virtual machine rather than "copying" or "cloning" it.

Aurora also accesses the web when it launches to check the current version and load a Welcome Page that alerts users to important information like updates, patches, data releases, and events. While not required, it is recommended that IT departments allow access to both sites as well:

 


For further assistance, please contact Aurora Support.

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