On the Use of the Modelling System GAMS at an Energy Study Centre

Mathematical programming models play an important role in theenergy policy studies performed for a variety of clients bythe Netherlands Energy Research Foundation. Initially, modelswere built with the use of software tools developed in-house.Limitations imposed by these tools, coupled with an increaseddemand for various policy studies, prompted a switch to a differentsoftware technology which resulted in the choice of the GeneralAlgebraic Modelling System (GAMS). The new software technologygreatly improved not only the model development process butalso the reliability and flexibility associated with the useof models. Despite these improvements, further extensions inmodelling technology are needed in order to guarantee that amodelling system can also function effectively as an efficientdecision support system.