Skip to content

Appendix F: Glossary

The nomenclature surrounding energy systems can sometimes be quite overwhelming, and even somewhat confusing. This appendix aims at clarifying some of the most common accronyms used across the COPPER model through the glossary provided below.

Glossary Table

Accronym / COPPER Term Meaning Learn More
CCS Carbon capture and storage. This technology is designed to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere What is CCS? - International CCS Knowledge Centre
gasCC Combined-cycle natural gas power plants Combined cycle power plants: how it works - GE Vernova
gasCG Cogeneration natural gas power plants Combined heat and power - Canadian Gas Association
gasSC Single cycle natural gas power plants
hydro_daily Daily output hydro power plants Types of hydro power - IHA
hydro_monthly Monthly output hydro power plants Types of hydro power - IHA
hydro_run Run-of-river hydro power plants Types of hydro power - IHA
ITC Investment-tax credit. Federal tax credit for investors in clean electricity technologies Clean Economy investment tax credits (ITCs) - Government of Canada
Planning reserve and reserve margin Measure of a technology's ability to meet a given demand with its existing capacity
RNG Renewable natural gas. Produced from organic waste, purified, and reintroduced into the grid Renewable natural gas - Canadian Gas Association
SMR Small modular nuclear reactor What are SMRs? - IAEA
storage_PH Pumped hydro storage Pumped storage hydropower explained - US Department of Energy
storage_LI Lithium-ion battery storage Applications of Lithium‑Ion Batteries in Grid‑Scale Energy Storage Systems - Springer
wind_ons Onshore wind plant Wind Energy - NRCAN
wind_ofs Offshore wind plant Wind Energy - NRCAN

Generation Type Data for CER Constraints

Genenration Type Name Definition How it is Used in COPPER
coal_pre2025 coal unit in existence before simulation begins CER regulates end of life but not operation
coal_ccs_pre2025 coal unit in existence before simulation begins that has transitioned to carbon capture and storage CER regulates operation
coal_retire_pre2025 coal unit in existence before simulation begins that has retired Unit is retired and does NOT operate
diesel_pre2025 diesel unit in existence before simulation begins CER regulates end of life but not operation
diesel_bio_pre2025 diesel unit in existence before simulation begins that has transitioned to a biodiesel unit CER regulates operation
diesel_backup_pre2025 diesel unit in existence before simulation begins that has transitioned to a backup diesel generation unit CER regulates operation
gasCG_free_pre2025 Cogeneration natural gas unit in existence before simulation begins which is not a net exporter and is not regulated CER does NOT regulate these units
gasCG_free_retire_pre2025 Cogeneration natural gas unit in existence before simulation begins which has retired Unit is retired and does NOT operate
gasCG_restricted_pre2025 Cogeneration natural gas unit in existence before simulation begins which is a net exporter CER regulates end of life but not operation
gasCG_ccs_pre2025 Cogeneration natural gas unit that has transitioned to carbon capture and storage CER regulates operation
gasCG_pre2025 Cogeneration natural gas unit that has transitioned to backup generation CER regulates operation
gasCG_retire_pre2025 Cogeneration natural gas unit that has retired Unit is retired and does NOT operate