Request the schema of the MARKAL database used to model the UK energy system

Department of Energy and Climate Change did not have the information requested.

Dear Department of Energy and Climate Change,

I would like to request the schema for the MARKet ALlocation (MARKAL) database that is used to model the energy system in the UK. I would like the schema as it currently exists.

I would like this schema to be in an Excel spreadsheet.

Yours faithfully,

Lisa Evans

FOI Requests,

BIS ref: 09/1960

Dear Ms Evans,

Thank you for your request for information which we have received in the
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Your request has been
passed on to the appropriate official at the Department of Energy and
Climate Change to deal with.

Best wishes,
Kay

Kay Wilson | Freedom of Information Advisor | Information Rights Unit |
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria
Street, London, SW1E 6SW | www.bis.gov.uk
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for
business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and
giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this
we will foster world-class universities and promote an open global
economy. BIS - Investing in our future

show quoted sections

Bailey Paul \(DECC CSSS\), Department of Energy and Climate Change

BIS ref: 09/1960

Dear Ms Evans,

Thank you for your request of 30^th December 2009 where you requested the
current schema, in Excel format, for the MARKet Allocation (MARKAL)
database that is used to model the energy system in the
UK.

I am writing to advise you that, following a search of our paper and
electronic records, I have established that the information you requested
is not held by this Department.

However, information on the MARKAL model, including the model structure
and input parameters for each sector, is publicly available at
[1]http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/support/ESMMARKAL....

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
original letter and should be addressed to me.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF

Kind regards,

Paul Bailey
Senior Economist, Strategic Economic Analysis
Department of Energy and Climate Change
[email address]

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/support/ESMMARKAL...

Hentschel Julian \(Economics\), Department of Energy and Climate Change

Ref Nos: 09/1960, 10/0361, 10/0362, 10/0400, 10/0435

12 March 2010

Dear Ms Evans,

Thank you for your emails of 11, 20 January, 20, 25 February and 1 March
requesting information about MARKAL. It appears you have raised a number
of FOI requests on the same topic. In future, please help us to avoid the
creation of parallel requests on the same topic by ensuring that you the
quote the reference number 10/0361 in all related correspondence. Raising
multiple requests is likely to delay your response and wastes public
resources.

Your requests are being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.

Taking all of these requests together, you have asked both for the "source
code for the MARKAL optimisation software" and the input parameters used
in each module of the DECC implementation of the MARKAL model.

Regarding the source code, as noted in the response to requests 10/0361
and 10/0362 dated 25 February, DECC cannot provide you with the MARKAL
source code. I have copied an excerpt of this response below:

"DECC is licensed to operate the MARKAL model. However we have been
informed that, under the terms of this license, we are not permitted to
pass the source code to third parties. A MARKAL reference manual with the
full mathematical description is available at [1]www.ETSAP.org. In order
to obtain the source code, you would need to apply to the Energy
Technology Systems Analysis Program (ETSAP) to become an operating agent."

Regarding the inputs, DECC does not normally conduct MARKAL modelling
internally but instead commissions the modelling from third parties. The
latest MARKAL modelling results produced for the Department were conducted
by AEA Technologies. We have asked AEA Technologies about the inputs used
and have been informed that these are the same as those provided on the
UKERC website. Please see the annexes to the documentation available at
the website you cited
<[2]http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/support/tiki-inde...>.
The Department does not hold this information in Excel format.

If you have any queries about this request do not hesitate to contact me.
Please remember to quote the reference number 10/0361 in any related
future communications.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Hentschel

Appeals Procedure

If you are unhappy with the result of your request for information, you
may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of
this email. If you wish to request an internal review please contact me.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Julian Hentschel | Economist | Strategic Economic Analysis | Department of
Energy and Climate Change | 8 [3]www.decc.gov.uk

References

Visible links
1. file://www.ETSAP.org
2. http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/support/tiki-inde...
3. http://www.decc.gov.uk/