| Author: | Trevor Davis |
|---|---|
| Author: | Mark Thurber |
| Author: | Frank Wolak |
The purpose of the Gamemaster is to guide the players through various games designed to teach different electricity game concepts. For an overview of the game scenarios see games for more info. This document provides a high level overview of what the Gamemaster should do. Please see the Game concepts page for more detailed info about game concepts. We also provide a basic Genco tutorial for your players. Please don't hesitate to send feedback on this documentation to Trevor or on the Public issue tracker.
Contents
Let's suppose that today we are playing the games in the second scenario "Congestion is Fun" in order to understand how transmission constraints effect electricity markets. You'd first guide the players through the first game in this scenario "2A.CIF.NTC.C1" where there is no transmission constraint. After this you could either lead your players through a second copy of the same game "2A.CIF.NTC.C2" to reinforce their understanding of the game without transmission constraints or you could lead them into the first copy of the second game in this scenario "2B.CIF.TC.C1" where there is a transmission constraint. You could then play again further copies of either the first or second games if doing so would add further pedagogical value. Here is a high-level overview of what you'll need to do:
Alternatively, if you have a large number of players you could have two games running at the same time with half the players using one copy of the game and the others using another copy of the game.
At the beginning of the day you'll need to assign your players to teams, each of which controls a generating company (future scenarios may introduce electricity retailers and speculative traders). Each game has seven generating companies (Genco's) so each player needs to be assigned to one of these Genco's, Alternatively, if you are running two copies of the game simultaneously, then you have fourteen different Genco teams you can assign players to. Once you have teams assigned you must tell your players which Genco they belong to and tell them their PIN number. In order to know which PIN number to tell them you'll need to login into your Gamemaster screen. Then click on the "View Gencos" button which should list all the Gencos teams and their PINs.
The "Incrementing Period" tab allows you to increment the period of the game, in the process computing the equilibrium prices in the electricity market and clearing any derivatives. By default you may increment 1 period but for faster games you may choose to increment additional periods (and ask your Gencos to submit bids for multiple periods). After the final period has been cleared teams have a final chance to trade carbon permits (and potentially RPS certificates) if there is a carbon cap (or a Renewable Portfolio Standard). At this point incrementing an extra period will identify any carbon permit or RPS certificate shortfalls and assess the appropriate penalties.
The View equilibrium results tab lets you view various output charts and tables. The equilibrium_*.png files show the electricity market equilibrium results for each period. Going over some of the output of these files after a round or game is over is helpful for understanding what occurred in the game.
Here we give a brief description of all the buttons in the Gamemaster screen.
View most recent Genco bids.
Lets you view permit/derivative trading activity.
View Genco teams, their balance sheets, and their PINs. You may optionally adjust their starting balances (make sure to press the "Update" button at the bottom).
View Retailer teams, their balance sheets, and their PINs. You may optionally adjust their starting balances (make sure to press the "Update" button at the bottom).
View equilibrium tables and charts from the game.
Increment the game a number of periods (default 1) in the process computing the equilibrium prices in the electricity market and clearing any derivatives. After the final period has been cleared teams have a final chance to trade carbon permits (and potentially REC certificates). Incrementing an extra period assesses the appropriate penalties for any carbon allowance or renewable energy certificate (REC) shortfalls.
Note
Only in games with carbon cap.
Contains projections on how likely the carbon cap is to be exceeded.
This view shows some of the conditions of the game such as what rules are in effect, the (estimated) demand conditions, and a link to information on the genco portfolios.