# Building a Model

Start here once you have:
- a completed **MORPHE2US.xlsx** (see **[Model Components](3_model_components.md)**),
- time series JSON files under **`data/`**,
- the parser **`MORPHE2US_pipeline.py`** in the same folder.

---

## 🧰 Step 1: Prepare Your Input Files

MORPHE2US requires two key input files:

### 1. Excel File (`.xlsx`)

This file defines:

- 💡 Technologies (names, efficiencies, costs, emissions)
- 🧱 Nodes and carriers (e.g., electricity, heat, gas)
- 📈 Demands and capacity limits
- 📆 Simulation timeline (years and time slices)
- 🌍 Geographical zones (if any)
- 📏 Constraints (e.g., emissions limits)

> 📌 You can start from a template which can be provided.

### 2. Time Series File (`.json`)

This file provides time-dependent data, such as:

- Electricity demand profiles
- Heat demand
- Wind capacity factors
- Solar irradiation
- Dynamic pricing (if applicable)

📁 **Organize your input files like this:**

```
morpheus_project/
├── data/
│ ├── demand_el.json
│ ├── ...
│ └── cf_wind.json
├── MORPHE2US.xlsx        # your Excel inputs
└── MORPHE2US_pipeline.py # the parser
```

---

## ⚙️ Step 2: Generate the Model

Use the MORPHE2US parser script to convert your input files into a Spine Toolbox-compatible database.

### 🔧 Command

Run the following command from your project root:

```bash
python MORPHE2US_pipeline.py --excel MORPHE2US_Scenario_1.xlsx --output output_Scenario_1.json
```

The --excel and --output parameters aren't mandatory and are by default replaced by MORPHE2US.xlsx & output.json. When you use the default names, the simple following command can be executed:

```bash
python MORPHE2US_pipeline.py
```

This script:

- ✅ Validates and parses the Excel/JSON files
- 🔁 Converts the structure into Spine-compatible format
- 🧱 Creates a .json database ready to be loaded into Spine Toolbox
- 💡 You can re-run the parser any time you update your input files.

---

## 🧩 Step 3: Load the Model into Spine Toolbox

Now that the .json database has been created, you can open it using Spine Toolbox.

### 📝 Steps

1. Launch Spine Toolbox
2. Create or open a project with at least the following components: 
    - 1 Data Store (input SQLite database)
    -  1 Run SpineOpt (optimization engine)
    - 1 Data Store (output SQLite database)
![](images/SpineToolBox_Base_structure.png)
3. In the input Data Store, use the integrated "Import" function as shown below:
![](images/Import_tool.png)
4. Once the changes have been made to the Data Store, commit them to save.

---

## 🔍 Step 4: Verify and Validate

Before running your model in **Spine Toolbox**, it is crucial to **verify and validate** the imported data to ensure accuracy and completeness.

---

### 📋 What to Check

#### **1. Technologies**
- Verify that all technologies (e.g., wind turbines, electrolyzers) are correctly listed.
- Check that their parameters (e.g., efficiency, costs, emissions) are filled and realistic.

#### **2. Time Series**
- Ensure that time series data (e.g., demand profiles, capacity factors) match the required **resolution** (hourly, daily, etc.).
- Confirm that the time series aligns with the simulation timeline.

#### **3. Nodes and Carriers**
- Check that all **nodes** (e.g., electricity grid, heat network) and **carriers** (e.g., electricity, hydrogen) are correctly defined.
- Validate that connections between nodes are properly established.

#### **4. Parameters**
- Review key parameters:
  - Costs (investment, operational)
  - Efficiencies
  - Emissions factors
  - Capacity limits

#### **5. Scenarios and Temporal Layers**
- Ensure that **scenarios** (below "Maps" in Spine) are correctly defined.
- Verify that **years and time slices** are properly configured.

---

## ✅ Step 5: Ready to Run

Your MORPHE2US model is now fully structured and loaded into Spine Toolbox.

You can now proceed to the next step:

👉 [Running the Model](5_running_a_model.md)