Introduction
Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM) is an integrated assessment tool for exploring consequences and responses to global change, developed by PNNL (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) under the banner of Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) [1]. The model integrates economy, energy, agriculture, land use, water, and climate modules within a partial equilibrium framework. It is generally used to model various aspects of energy (energy efficiency improvement, energy consumption pattern, emissions) and agriculture and land use (fertilizer use, deforestation), usually under scenarios such as carbon cap/carbon tax, demographic trends, and climate changes [2].
As an integrated assessment model, GCAM has a long term time horizon, up to the end of the century (2100). As a global model, it divides the world into 32 geopolitical regions (version 4.0) and 18 Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ). The model has been used widely, such as in the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports.
Energy Modeling Lab is a part of GCAM Community, with its members frequently participating in the annual GCAM Community Modeling Meeting and GTSP (Global Technology Strategy Program) Technical Workshop. In a collaboration with PNNL researchers, especially Dr. Sonny Kim, EML is in progress of developing the Korean GCAM, starting with updating the end use sectors of building, industry, and transportation. Software-wise, twofold efforts have been done to improve upon the current GCAM system: 1) Updating the whole source code from C++ to C#, and 2) Creating a user-friendly (and programmer-friendly) GUI for an easier modeling with GCAM.
Reports and Manuals
- User Guide – Abatement Cost Chart
- Release Note ver1.0.15.1229
- Release Note GCAM-EML ver 1.0.15.0630, which includes the How To Use
Download
The software can be downloaded by clicking one of these links (sorted by the most update):
Source:
[1] http://www.globalchange.umd.edu/models/gcam/
[2] http://wiki.umd.edu/gcam/index.php/References