EPA's IPM Base Case 2006 (v3.0)

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NOTE: Since the release of EPA's IPM Base Case 2006 (v3.0), EPA has periodically adjusted various model parameters for specific analyses based on updated market projections and policy focus. Whereas this page contains the most comprehensive documentation on EPA's use of the IPM model, the reader should not assume that all listed parameter values for EPA's IPM Base Case 2006 (v3.0) were used as input assumptions in subsequent EPA analyses using the IPM model. EPA has issued supplemental documentation to identify where these parameters changed for individual analyses, which can be accessed through the main IPM portal.

EPA's IPM Base Case 2006 (v3.0) includes updates of IPM's assumptions, inputs, and capabilities. To perform the update, EPA obtained input from nationally recognized experts in fuels, technology, and power system operation. Power companies provided information on generating resources and emission controls. EPA also obtained input from Regional Planning Organizations, states, and their constituent organizations. Key update areas include:

Coal Supply and Transportation Assumptions
Natural Gas Assumptions
Federal and State Emission Regulations and Enforcement Actions
Cost and Performance of Generating Technologies and Emission Controls
Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Nitrogen Oxide (NO_x), and Heat Rates
Power System Operating Characteristics and Structure
Electric Generating Unit Inventory
Modeling Time Horizon and Run Years (2010, 2015, 2020, 2025)

Documentation for EPA Base Case 2006 (v3.0)

To learn more about EPA Base Case 2006 (v3.0) assumptions, updates, changes, and enhancements, see the links below. (Note: These links provide documentation largely in the form of data tables and graphics.)

Summary Table of Base Case 2006 Updates (14 pp., 147 K)
Section 1: Overview (3 pp., 80 K)
Section 2: Modeling Framework (866 pp., 5.6 MB)
Appendix 2-1 Data (Excel, 2.9 MB)
Section 3: Power System Operation Assumptions (34 pp., 164 K)
Section 4: Generating Resources (33 pp., 197 K)
Section 5: Emission Control Technologies (22 pp., 79 K)
Section 6: Set-Up Parameters and Rules (4 pp., 17 K)
Section 7: Financial Assumptions (2 pp., 9 K)
Section 8: Fuel Assumptions (331 pp., 1.1 MB)
Appendix 8-3 Data (Excel, 26 K)
Appendix 8-4 Data (Excel, 90 K)
Appendix 8-5 Data (Excel, 1.3 K)
Appendix 8-6 Data (Excel, 139 K)

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IPM Results Using EPA Base Case 2006 (v3.0)

Click on the run identification number in the second column of the following table to download a zipped archive file containing:

Detailed IPM input and output files (i.e., .DAT, System Summary Report, .RPE, .CAR, and TAC files) for the listed runs. Guide to the content of the IPM input and output files.

Parsed files for the listed run and year. Whereas IPM output files report aggregated results for "model" plants (i.e., aggregates of generating units with similar operating characteristics), parsed files show IPM results at the generating unit level. Guide to the content of the parsed files.

Base Case 2006 (v.3.0)
Description	IPM Run/ File ID
EPA Base Case 2006 - All Run Files	Base Case 2006.zip (Zip 4.2 MB)
EPA Base Case 2006 parsed for year 2010	2010parsed_for_basecase2006.zip (Zip 1.2 MB)
EPA Base Case 2006 parsed for year 2015	2015parsed_for_basecase2006.zip (Zip 1.5 MB)
EPA Base Case 2006 parsed for year 2020	2020parsed_for_basecase2006.zip (Zip 1.3 MB)

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National Electric Energy Data System (NEEDS) 2006

The National Electric Energy Data System or “NEEDS” database contains the generation unit records used to construct the "model" plants that represent existing and planned/committed units in EPA modeling applications of IPM. NEEDS includes basic geographic, operating, air emissions, and other data on these generating units. NEEDS was completely updated for Base Case 2006 (v3.0). For a description of the sources used in preparing NEEDS 2006, see Base Case 2006 Documentation (v3.0), Section 4: Generating Resources.

Download the NEEDS 2006 database (Zip, 1.5 MB)

Documentation and Run Results Using Previous Base Cases

Details about previous IPM Base Cases are also available. To view and download earlier base and policy case run results, visit Past EPA Modeling Applications Using The Integrated Planning Model.

Return to main IPM page

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