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resource acquisition process, but In other resource planning functions as well. Selection of Modeling Tools It \.\as necessary initially to identify the modelmg tools to be used and to select appropriate models to develop or modify for the proof-of-concept analysis As a first step, a research and literature review of softv..are tools, methodologies, and modeling approaches was undertaken. Several modeling approaches were considered for evaluatmg replacement power alternatives. These ranged from production cost models, to capacity expansion models based on linear or dynamic programming. Use of a spread- sheet to calculate levelized.-costs was also considered as a simplified modeling approach. The preferred modeling approach identified for the replacement resources acquisition process is use of a spreadsheet model for resource screemng and a production cost model for integrated analysis. The diversity of pricing structures and other replacement resource charac- teristics mIl make n difficult to determine the lowest cost alternative through SImple review. On the other hand, preparing a detailed and tirne-consummg Integrated analysis for all responses received would be too tIme-consumins. To lirrut the number of alternatives evaluated In detall. a screening analysIs was dcveloped that provides a straightfor- \vard method to process the basic data. represent each alternative On a consistent basis, and create an economic ranking of the alternatives based on the estimated le\'elized per-unit cost at different capac- ity factors. Based on the results of the screerung analysis, Western can select the altemati\.es to be evaluated In detail usmg a fair and objective process. The production cost model, MULTlSYM, was selected for performing the detailed integrated analYSIS of replace- ment power alternatives primarily because It offered the key features reqUIred for modeling such an extensive geographic area \\ith multiple interactIng systems. The program is developed, marketed commercially, and supponed by a third pany, Henwood Energy Services, Inc. The Colorado River Sunulation System model was used to represent the Colorado River System and dctemune the monthly hydro-electric generation for the Reclamation's hydroelectric generation projects in MULTISY~L The pnncipal data source used to construct the MULTIS'fM model of all the other electric utilities, loads and resources in Western's marketing area was Resource Data International, Inc. 1bis company was selected primarily because it is both comprehensive and readily available to Western. Model Implementation A pOlential course of aCtIon could have been to implement the models using system data already existing from other studies, supplemented \\ith "example" or "representative" data The course of action used for the proof--of-concept analYSIS was actually a more comprehen- sive approach to model implementation. wluch involved identifymg data sources, gathering most of the available data from these sources, processing the data, and then constructing a more comprehensl\'e modeL Usmg comprehensi\'e, rather than representati\.e, data in the current model \\;11 prO\ide benefits as a future time-saver when \Vestern begins to implement chosen methods and potenually acqwre replace- ment resources. ~ Using COffi!l'ehensive, raltlerltlan representative, data in ltleCtJrrentmodel will provide benefits as a fulllretime-saverwhen Western begins to im~emenlchosen me1hodsand potentially acquire re~acemenl resources. Ii