This reference is part of the guide for the Kigali Sim.

QubecTalk Reference: Stanzas

Stanzas are the main structural blocks of QubecTalk programs. They define different sections of your simulation model using start and end keywords.

Contents

About

Purpose: Optional metadata block providing information about the simulation model.

Syntax:

start about
  # Name: "Simulation Name"
  # Description: "Description"
  # Author: "Author Name"
end about

Example:

start about
  # Name: "ABC Country HFC Analysis"
  # Description: "Comprehensive HFC phase-down modeling for ABC Country"
  # Author: "Policy Analysis Team"
end about

Default

Purpose: Defines the business-as-usual baseline scenario including applications, substances, and their properties.

Syntax:

start default
  define application "ApplicationName"
    uses substance "SubstanceName"
      # substance configuration
    end substance
  end application
end default

Example:

start default
  define application "Domestic Refrigeration"
    uses substance "HFC-134a"
      enable domestic
      initial charge with 0.15 kg / unit for domestic
      set domestic to 25 mt during year 2025
      equals 1430 tCO2e / mt
    end substance
  end application
end default

Policy

Purpose: Defines policy interventions that modify the baseline scenario defined in the default stanza.

Syntax:

start policy "PolicyName"
  modify application "ApplicationName"
    modify substance "SubstanceName"
      # policy modifications
    end substance
  end application
end policy

Example:

start policy "HFC Phase-out"
  modify application "Domestic Refrigeration"
    modify substance "HFC-134a"
      cap sales to 80% during years 2027 to 2030
      cap sales to 0 mt during years 2031 to onwards
    end substance
  end application
end policy

Simulations

Purpose: Configures which scenarios to run, including time periods, policies, and Monte Carlo trials.

Syntax:

start simulations
  simulate "SimulationName"
    using "PolicyName"
  from years StartYear to EndYear
  across NumberOfTrials trials
end simulations

Examples:

Basic simulation:

start simulations
  simulate "Business as Usual"
  from years 2025 to 2035
end simulations

Policy simulation:

start simulations
  simulate "Phase-out Scenario"
    using "HFC Phase-out"
  from years 2025 to 2035
end simulations

Monte Carlo simulation:

start simulations
  simulate "Uncertainty Analysis"
    using "HFC Phase-out"
  from years 2025 to 2035
  across 1000 trials
end simulations

Variables

Purpose: Optional stanza for defining global variables that can be used throughout the program.

Syntax:

start variables
  define variableName as value
end variables

Example:

start variables
  define baselineYear as 2025
  define policyStartYear as 2027
  define simulationEndYear as 2035
end variables