Output Folder Structure

When launching the EPM model with the Python API, the framework generates a comprehensive set of outputs for analysis and visualization. These include:

• A GDX file (epmresults.gdx) with detailed model results

• CSV outputs in the output_csv/ folder for integration with tools such as Tableau

• Automatically generated plots for dispatch, capacity, and energy mix

• Spreadsheet summaries of key results

All outputs are grouped by scenario (e.g., baseline) and stored in a timestamped output folder for traceability.

After running the model, EPM creates a general output folder named:

simulations_run_<timestamp>/

This folder includes all outputs from the simulation, organized as follows:

simulations_run_<timestamp>/
│
├── img/                             # Automatically generated plots
│   ├── 1_capacity/                  # Installed capacity figures
│   ├── 2_cost/                      # Cost breakdown figures
│   ├── 3_energy/                    # Energy balance and generation plots
│   ├── 4_interconnection/           # Interconnection flows and utilization plots
│   ├── 5_dispatch/                  # Hourly dispatch plots
│   └── 6_maps/                      # Spatial visualizations (if applicable)
│
├── baseline/                        # Scenario-specific GAMS outputs and logs
│   ├── main.lst                     # GAMS listing file (modeltype logs and diagnostics)
│
├── epmresults.gdx                   # GDX file with model results
├── input_gdx/                       # Pre-processed input files used by GAMS
├── output_csv/                      # All results exported as CSV (for postprocessing or dashboards)
│
├── cplex.opt                        # modeltype configuration used for the run
├── summary.csv                      # High-level summary of model results
├── summary_detailed.csv             # Extended summary with breakdowns by tech, fuel, zone, etc.
├── simulations_scenarios.csv        # Metadata and status for all scenarios run

• This structure is generated automatically for each run done with Python.

• When running multiple scenarios, results are merged in shared summary and comparison outputs, but each scenario still produces its own dedicated subfolders.

• The img/ folder only appears if plotting is enabled and includes both per-scenario and cross-scenario visuals.

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Figures Configuration (figures_config.json)

The postprocessing figures are controlled by the configuration file at epm/postprocessing/figures_config.json. This file allows you to enable or disable specific figure categories and individual plots.

Structure

The configuration is organized by category, each with an enabled flag and a list of individual figures:

{
  "categories": {
    "capacity": {
      "enabled": true,
      "figures": {
        "CapacityMixSystemEvolutionScenarios": true,
        "CapacityMixZoneScenarios": true,
        "NewCapacityZoneInstalledTimeline": false
      }
    },
    "costs": {
      "enabled": true,
      "figures": {
        "NPVCostSystemScenarios": true,
        "CostSystemEvolutionScenarios": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Available Categories

Category	Description
summary	Summary heatmaps and overview figures
capacity	Installed capacity mix by zone, system, and scenario
costs	NPV costs, cost evolution, and cost breakdowns
energy	Energy mix and generation by technology
dispatch	Hourly dispatch plots by zone and season
interconnection	Net imports, exchange heatmaps, and utilization
maps	Geographic visualizations of transmission and flows

Customizing Figures

To disable a category entirely, set "enabled": false. To disable individual figures within an enabled category, set the specific figure to false.

This is useful for:

• Speeding up postprocessing by disabling unused figures

• Reducing memory usage for large Monte Carlo runs

• Focusing output on specific analysis areas

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Output Workflows

There are two main workflows for visualizing EPM model results:

• Tableau for interactive exploration and dashboards

• Python for custom plots and analyses, relying on in-house libraries. Check out the Advanced Topics for more details.