Overview
The OpenNEM system uses a hierarchical classification system for different types of electricity generation technologies:- Fueltechs - Individual generation technologies (e.g., Coal Black, Solar Utility, Wind)
- Fueltech Groups - Broader categories that group similar technologies (e.g., Coal, Solar, Wind)
Fueltech Groups
Fueltech groups are the high-level categories used to group similar generation technologies. Each group has a distinct color used in visualisations.| Group Code | Label | Renewable |
|---|---|---|
| coal | Coal | FALSE |
| gas | Gas | FALSE |
| wind | Wind | TRUE |
| solar | Solar | TRUE |
| battery_charging | Battery (Charging) | FALSE |
| battery_discharging | Battery (Discharging) | FALSE |
| hydro | Hydro | TRUE |
| distillate | Distillate | FALSE |
| bioenergy | Bioenergy | TRUE |
| pumps | Pumps | FALSE |
Fueltechs
Fueltechs represent specific generation technologies. Each fueltech belongs to a fueltech group and inherits properties like color from its group.| Fueltech Code | Label | Fueltech Group | Renewable |
|---|---|---|---|
| battery_charging | Battery (Charging) | battery_charging | FALSE |
| battery_discharging | Battery (Discharging) | battery_discharging | FALSE |
| bioenergy_biogas | Biogas | bioenergy | TRUE |
| bioenergy_biomass | Biomass | bioenergy | TRUE |
| coal_black | Coal (Black) | coal | FALSE |
| coal_brown | Coal (Brown) | coal | FALSE |
| distillate | Distillate | distillate | FALSE |
| gas_ccgt | Gas (CCGT) | gas | FALSE |
| gas_ocgt | Gas (OCGT) | gas | FALSE |
| gas_recip | Gas (Reciprocating) | gas | FALSE |
| gas_steam | Gas (Steam) | gas | FALSE |
| gas_wcmg | Gas (Coal Mine Waste) | gas | FALSE |
| hydro | Hydro | hydro | TRUE |
| pumps | Pumps | pumps | FALSE |
| solar_rooftop | Solar (Rooftop) | solar | TRUE |
| solar_thermal | Solar (Thermal) | solar | TRUE |
| solar_utility | Solar (Utility) | solar | TRUE |
| wind | Wind | wind | TRUE |
| wind_offshore | Offshore Wind | wind | TRUE |
| aggregator_vpp | Aggregator (VPP) | - | TRUE |
| aggregator_dr | Aggregator (DR) | - | TRUE |
| nuclear | Nuclear | - | FALSE |
| imports | Network Import | - | FALSE |
| exports | Network Export | - | FALSE |
| interconnector | Interconnector | - | FALSE |
| battery | Battery | - | FALSE |
Special Categories
Some fueltechs don’t belong to a specific fueltech group as they represent special cases:- Aggregators - Virtual Power Plants (VPP) and Demand Response (DR) units that combine multiple smaller generators
- Network - Imports, exports and interconnector flows between regions
- Battery - Generic battery category (distinct from charging/discharging)
- Nuclear - Currently not used in Australia but maintained for international compatibility