Concept of upgrading the openmod online presence to an OpenEnergy Platform
Preliminary note
The concept of the OpenEnergy Platform is under development at the moment. Theses wiki pages are constantly updated and are meant to give an overview of the objectives as well as the current state of the concept and implementation of the different components forming the OpenEnergy Platform.
This platform has not got a final name, but the working title is OpenEnergy Platform (OEP). Alternatives are for example:
- openmod platform
- openmod portal
Feel free to suggest anothername and vote foryour favourites:
- First round: Hereany name can be added and you cantickall names you would be ok with.
- Second round: The three names that the most participants can live with(i.e. with the most votes in first round)arepart of the finalvote and everybodywill be allowed tick one option.
Many the activities regarding the OpenEnergy Plattform, undertaken by ZNES, RLI, Next Energy and the University of Madgeburg, are currently (08/2015 until 08/2016) part of the project open_eGo, which itself is funded by the German Federal Ministy of Economic Affairs and Energy.
The project proposal was written before the openmod initiative was established and was promoted by the project partners for the same reasons for which they also participated in the foundation of the openmod initative. Now, the OpenEnergy Platform team wants to avoid double structures and use their resourses to support the openmod initiative.
During the workshop in London (09/2015) a break-out group discussed the idea of an OpenEnergy Platform and different aspects. The participants agreed on expanding the existing online presence of the openmod initiative. The collected suggestions were advanced during a workshop in October 2015 in Berlin.
Thanks to all, who support the development of our common environment with critical and constructive remarks. In other words, please, feel free to discuss the concept with us.
Objectives of the OpenEnergy Platform (OEP)
The objectives of the OpenEnergy Platform are defined as follows:
expanding / improving the existing openmod online presence (homepage and wiki) with regard to the wishes and interests of the openmod community
providing a place to meet and exchange with people interested in open source modelling of energy systems
Giving an overview of open source energy system models
Giving an overview of proprietary energy system models in order to increase the transparency in the field of energy modelling and to do the first step towards code disclosure
Giving an overview of various existing scenarios together with the input-parameters that were used for modelling these scenarios (and maybe together with their outcomes)
Offering a place to store and exchange data (raw data and processed data), which are needed for modelling
Offering a place for exchange about modelling related issues (e.g. data quality, model quality etc.)
Offering advice for good collaborative working practice (rules, guidelines, processesand tools) and general / structural support (by providing a well-organised working platform)
<font size="4" style="font-size: 14pt"</font>
Usersof the OpenEnergy Platform
- model developer: A model developer is a person, who works on the design and code of energy system models.
- model user: A model user is person who has downloaded / wants to download a model in order to make calculations with own data input and assumptions (scenarios). A model user might become a model developer in future, because she/he might get interested in understanding, improving and expanding the code.
- non-modeller: A non-modeller is a person, who does not intent to make own calculations with an energy system, but is for example interested in data and results obtained with different models and scenarios. This could be e.g. a climate protection manager working for a municipality, a person working for a NGO or … .
Main page
(http://openmod-initiative.org/)
Use Case of all users:
When the user comes to the main page, she/he sees the openmod logo, a short definition („We are a grass root initiative of modellers from various universities and research institutes across Europe.“), a welcome statement (, the latest news, a tag cloud) and the overview of the provided content, which can be grouped into the following areas.
- about openmod (html)
- wiki for collaborative, open source modelling incl. glossary, quality criteria, openmod event documentation, open licences, best practice guide
- documentation and tutorials
- news and calendar
- fact sheets for models, frameworks and scenarios (wiki or html)
- database (PostgreSQL database with CKAN surface and import tool)
- discussion: Ways of model integration (html)
- discussion area for model specific teams (maybe)
- archive of the openmod mailing list (maybe) / subscription of the mailing list
- fast information how to get started (“Connect!”)
- contact, licence and “Impressum”
From here the user goes to the different subsections depending on her/his background and reason for coming.
Implementation:
The proposed idea means an adjustment and extension of the existing openmod website (openmod-initiative.org/), which will become the connector between the different areas of the OpenEnergy Platform like for example the wiki and the database. Therefore, the user should easily get back to this main page by clicking on the openmod logo, no matter on which site she/he is.
Dear openmod community, being in the openmod wiki a click on the openmod logo leads to the main page of the wiki. Could this click lead to the main page instead?
