Simulation Builder - Setup#

Once the SynMax Energy Excel Add-in is installed, the Simulation Builder becomes available inside Excel. Depending on your installed add-in version, you will find it under one of the following tabs:

  • Versions below 2.0.0.0 - the tab will appear as “SynMax Energy”

  • Versions 2.0.0.0 and above - the tab will appear as “SynMax Commodities”

Both tabs provide access to the same Simulation Builder tool. From either version, you can open it directly from the Excel ribbon.

Accessing Simulation Builder#

Follow the steps below to open and start using the Simulation Builder.

  1. Open Excel and go to either the SynMax Energy or SynMax Commodities tab, based on your installed add-in version.

    SynMax Simulation Builder location in Excel tab

  2. In the tab, click on the Simulation Builder icon. This will launch the Simulation Builder window inside Excel.

    Simulation Builder icon in Excel

  3. The Simulation Builder window will open with a window where you can enter simulation data as inputs. The window displays several dropdowns and filters including Region, Subregion, State Code, County, Operator, Start Date, and End Date.

    Simulation Builder Simulation data input field screen

  4. Begin by selecting the Region and Subregion that you want to simulate. The Next button will remain disabled until a few input fields are filled. Once the fields are filled, click Next.

    Example of required selections before continuing

  5. A “Please wait” screen will appear while the Simulation Builder prepares your model data. This process includes:

    1. Querying historical data

    2. Generating suggested simulation parameters

    3. Establishing a connection to the Production Studio API

    Simulation Builder loading screen showing query steps

  6. After the setup completes, the Simulation Builder displays the simulation type selection screen. This screen contains four options - Forward Simulation: Single, Forward Simulation: Multiple, Inverse Simulation, and Flat Production.

    Simulation Builder showing four simulation options

Next, proceed to the next section - Running Simulations - to learn how each simulation type works.