The files BaseYearImport.csv and BaseYearExport.csv are used to specify the imports and exports of commodities between regions. All of the example and tutorial models (except the trade model, see note below) include these files, however they aren't actually used in any of the models because base_year_import and base_year_export are not specified in settings.toml (which means imports and exports aren't modeled). As all of the values in all of these files are zero, this doesn't make a difference to the results, however it's confusing to include these files if they aren't actually used.
I think there are two possible approaches:
Modify settings.toml for all of the models to use these files using base_year_import and base_year_export. Then, if someone wants to modify an existing model to include imports and exports it's clear what they need to change
Remove BaseYearImport.csv and BaseYearExport.csv from all the models, but include an additional model where trade is implemented (probably in the regions tutorial)
Side note: we currently have a trade model which (presumably) models imports and exports, but the input data is specified in a completely different format, and it's hard for me to understand what's going on here as none of this is explained in the documentation. A lot of things about this model don't really make sense (e.g. only two regions are specified in settings.toml, but gas/TradeTechnodata.csv has a column for R3). Anyone know what's going on with this model?
The files
BaseYearImport.csvandBaseYearExport.csvare used to specify the imports and exports of commodities between regions. All of the example and tutorial models (except thetrademodel, see note below) include these files, however they aren't actually used in any of the models becausebase_year_importandbase_year_exportare not specified insettings.toml(which means imports and exports aren't modeled). As all of the values in all of these files are zero, this doesn't make a difference to the results, however it's confusing to include these files if they aren't actually used.I think there are two possible approaches:
settings.tomlfor all of the models to use these files usingbase_year_importandbase_year_export. Then, if someone wants to modify an existing model to include imports and exports it's clear what they need to changeBaseYearImport.csvandBaseYearExport.csvfrom all the models, but include an additional model where trade is implemented (probably in the regions tutorial)Side note: we currently have a
trademodel which (presumably) models imports and exports, but the input data is specified in a completely different format, and it's hard for me to understand what's going on here as none of this is explained in the documentation. A lot of things about this model don't really make sense (e.g. only two regions are specified insettings.toml, butgas/TradeTechnodata.csvhas a column forR3). Anyone know what's going on with this model?