Energy as a Service Tool Suite: Personalized energy portfolio analytics, and energy efficiency optimization for electricity consumers and prosumers

WP6 of SYNERGY project has developed a tool-suite targeting Electricity Retailers and Aggregators. This tool-suite is composed by four different but complementary applications aimed at enabling the full exploitation of the flexibility capacity, namely: 1) Portfolio Analytics and Management, 2) Personalized Energy Analytics; 3) Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization, and 4) DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform. This article will elaborate on two of these apps.

Portfolio Analytics and Management Application

The Portfolio Analytics and Management Application implements necessary functions to enable retailers and aggregators to provide better and added value services. This application performs a detailed analysis based on the behaviour of a portfolio of customers. Target users gain useful insights to segment customers and enable new strategies to address the energy requirements of a determined portfolio. Dynamic price-based, Demand Side Management strategies, and optimal operation in short and long-term energy markets are examples of the functionalities provided.

The application consists of diverse components hereby described:

The Portfolio Pattern Forecasting Engine is responsible for identifying patterns in the behaviour towards consumers and forecasting energy use. This component provides predictive models that are used by other components of the application.

The Customer Segmentation Engine performs sectorization based on different criteria such as energy-related behaviour patterns, socioeconomic profiles or elasticity-based information. This data is used to gain an understanding on the composition of the customers’ portfolio with respect to a variety of parameters. A set of further analytic-based services is provided to the customers allowing retailers to better position themselves in the various energy markets.

Figure 2: PPA optimization from the Portfolio Analytics and Management Application — PPA optimization from the Portfolio Analytics and Management Application

The Wholesale Market Participation Decision Support System uses information provided by the Portfolio Pattern Forecasting Engine and The Customer segmentation Engine to enable dynamic price-based DSM strategies with the final objective of tackling and reducing penalties faced due to deviations in the participation of the energy markets.

The Market Positioning Optimization Tool helps RES generation aggregators to estimate the optimum allocation of the forecasted production in the different short-term energy markets.

The PPA Optimization Tool aids demand aggregators to estimate the optimal sizing of the generation power plant to reduce the price that an energy community would pay once the IRR of the project has been determined.

A version of the application is accessible at https://portfolioanalytics.synergy-bigdata.eu/

Personalized Energy Analytics Application

Personalized Energy Analytics Application implements services to prosumers identified in the Portfolio Analytics and Management Application. On one hand, this application provides enhanced information about energy consumptions, and hints that encourage better behaviours towards more sustainable energy demand patterns. On the other hand, this module provides advanced services for the optimum operation of smart appliances so that a proper balance between comfort and energy-saving can be achieved.

The application consists of two components:

Personalized Energy Analytics Engine oversees obtaining, analysing and presenting to the customers insights of their energy-related behaviour, peer-comparison and energy and cost-saving tips.

Smart Home Integration Engine component implements the functionalities to enable Intelligent control and automation features of Smart Home assets, towards facilitating sustainable and long-term energy behaviours, while reducing the intrusiveness of energy consumers. This component is the umbrella that communicates with the different assets at home and uploads all the monitored data to the SYNERGY platform. The data is merged with demanded data (obtained from the AMI of the corresponding retailer/aggregators) [US1] to build comfort-centric flexibility profiles for each combination of customers and assets.

A version of the application is accessible at https://personalizedanalytics.synergy-bigdata.eu/

In conclusion, the Energy as a Service Tool Suite developed under WP6 of the SYNERGY project comprises four applications, two of which have been explained in this article: Portfolio Analytics and Management, and Personalized Energy Analytics Applications.

Stay tuned for the next article on Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization, and DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform Applications.

Read more about the SYNERGY Applications:

Asset Management Tool Suite: Infrastructure Sizing and Grid Planning and Flexibility based Network Management and DSO-TSO common operational scheduling Applications

Asset Management Tool Suite: Advanced Performance Monitoring/Forecasting and Predictive Maintenance and Asset Management Optimization for Power Grids Applications

Asset Management Tool Suite: Advanced Performance Monitoring/Forecasting and Predictive Maintenance and Asset Management Optimization for Power Grids Applications

WP5 of SYNERGY project aims to develop Advanced Grid-level Analytics for Optimized Network and Asset Management Services and Applications, targeting network operators as well as DER aggregators and RES operators. The Asset Management Tool Suite is eventually delivered, which comprises four applications two of which will be explained in this article.

Advanced Performance Monitoring/Forecasting and Predictive Maintenance Application

The main aim of this innovative tool for the management of RES plants is ensuring their optimal operation, predictive maintenance and proactive avoidance of equipment faults. The tool steps on the forecasting and predictive analytics baseline algorithms and appropriate machine learning techniques towards identifying in real-time predictive maintenance needs, increasing PV technology reliability and efficiency and improving power trading functions on the plant operator side.

The app presents three main functionalities:

The Enhanced Performance Monitor (EPM) module is similar of a control centre of the performance of a PV plant.
The Fault Occurrence Inspector and Maintenance Optimizer (FOIMO) module aims to introduce new approaches for fault diagnosis and predictive maintenance of PV plants.
The Operational Scheduling Optimizer (OSO) is responsible for forecasting the energy production for different time horizons.

The application consists of two components:

The Network Performance Assessment Engine (NPAE) is responsible for the simulation of the operation of the network and assesses the state of the network in terms of performance, and power quality metrics. The assessment involves the evaluation of the electricity network steady state aspects using power flow calculations. Congestion issues and operational constraints, such as voltage violations, line/transformer over-loadings are considered in the assessment. The component involves the assessment of various operating conditions, incorporating the analysis of stochastic demand and generation profiles.

The app provides an efficient and centralized tool for monitoring, optimizing, and maintaining the performance of a PV plant. With the EPM module, operators can easily track and visualize the key production parameters and KPIs, which can help them quickly identify any issues or areas for improvement. The FOIMO module can help reduce downtime and maintenance costs by predicting and diagnosing faults before they occur. The OSO can help optimize energy production and scheduling, which can increase revenue and reduce operational costs.

The app offers features such as centralized monitoring and visualization of key performance parameters, predictive maintenance capabilities, and energy production forecasting. By using the app, operators can quickly identify and correct issues, reduce downtime and maintenance costs, optimize energy production and scheduling, increase revenue, and support sustainability goals.

Next steps

The next steps for the app would be to collect and analyze new data to train and refine predictive models and seek feedback from stakeholders to identify additional KPIs. The emphasis should be on ongoing improvement and innovation, with a focus on providing a more accurate and useful tool for monitoring, optimizing, and maintaining the performance of PV plants.

One can access the app through the following link

https://performancemonitoring.synergy-bigdata.eu/

Asset Management Optimization for Power Grids Application

The Asset Management Optimization for Power Grids Application implements different components that target the maintenance responsible operators of DSOs and TSOs, with the objective of providing different models that optimize the maintenance management by enriching the available data with the results of a number of analytics and forecasts.

The application consists of two components:

The Network Asset Health Estimator component will, based on the different measurements available for a given asset type, model the overall health score of each asset instance under maintenance, providing automated assistance in the evaluation of asset status by maintenance staff, and an additional indicator to properly prioritize the scheduled maintenance operations.

The Network Predictive Maintenance Manager component will provide models to forecast failures of assets, based on the flows of data monitored from those assets and by considering also the effect of cascading effects (i.e. how an asset can be indirectly affected by failures detected on other assets of the grid)

Next Steps

In order to be able to use the application, following configuration steps need to be taken for every new DSO/TSO that wishes to integrate with the application:

DSO and TSO are required to be registered as users of the SYNERGY Platform
DSO and TSO are required to configure the necessary data check-in jobs, so required datasets get accessible through the platform

A version of the application is accessible at https://assetmanagement.synergy-bigdata.eu/

Four energy applications consisting the Asset Management tool suite have been presented (Check the article on Infrastructure Sizing and Grid Planning and Flexibility based Network Management and DSO-TSO Common Operational Scheduling Applications below). The applications process grid data and measurements in order to perform critical power system functionalities, like optimal network planning, DSO/TSO coordination, performance monitoring and asset management optimization. The applications are provided as services to the different network operators and are available in a web-based form.

Asset Management Tool Suite: Infrastructure Sizing and Grid Planning and Flexibility based Network Management and DSO-TSO common operational scheduling Applications

Asset Management Tool Suite: Infrastructure Sizing and Grid Planning and Flexibility based Network Management and DSO-TSO common operational scheduling Applications

Infrastructure Sizing and Grid Planning Application

The Infrastructure Sizing and Grid planning Application implements different features that target the operation and planning responsible operators of DSOs and TSOs, with the objective of providing valuable insights in terms of capacity and sizing requirements of network assets. The application utilizes available historical data and statistics such as expected next year forecasts of peak demand/generation data to create stochastic scenarios of demand and generation and perform power flow calculations to provide suggestions for optimal sizing and planning.

The application consists of two components:

The Network Assets Sizing Engine (NASE) is responsible for providing solutions regarding optimal planning and sizing of the network assets. Solutions shall involve optimal capacity for new substations and lines in case further reinforcements are needed, as well as optimal sizing of new demand connections or DERs. The NASE is a complementary component to the NPAE, exploiting results such as reinforcement and flexibility needs to propose operational planning solutions in the mid-term (up to a month ahead) and in the long term (up to a year) for the provision of critical services such as congestion management in medium voltage distribution grids.

Next steps

In order to be able to use the application, following configuration steps need to be taken for every new DSO/TSO that wishes to integrate with the application:

DSO and TSO are required to be registered as users of the SYNERGY Platform
DSO and TSO are required to configure the necessary data check-in jobs, so required datasets get accessible through the platform

A version of the application is accessible at https://grid-planning.synergy-bigdata.eu

Flexibility based Network Management and DSO-TSO Common Operational Scheduling Application

The Flexibility based Network Management and DSO-TSO common operational scheduling Application implements all necessary features to allow network operators to optimally and securely schedule the available resources including flexible demand for the intra-day and day ahead in a coordinated manner. By exploiting all available data, including the flexibility potential of aggregators’ portfolio, the application facilitates the optimal scheduling of the flexible assets by TSOs and DSOs who aim to request specific congestion management and balancing services.

The Flexibility-Based Network Manager is responsible for assisting network operators to perform their short-term planning activities by utilizing available flexibility. The manager involves the process of data ingestion regarding flexibility availability from flexibility providers, identification of aggregated flexibility in substation and feeders’ level, calculation of flexibility deficit periods and calculation of flexibility requirements for network operators to facilitate their short-term planning and needs for congestion management and balancing.

The DSO-TSO Common Operational Scheduler is responsible for providing a common interface for the DSO and the TSO to facilitate common operational scheduling, considering the flexibility requirements for both actors for congestion management needs, balancing needs and other relevant ancillary services. The scheduler also proposes an appropriate coordination scheme clarifying the sequence of actions between the two operators and identifies the definite short term operational scheduling for both actors.

Next Steps

In order to be able to use the application, following configuration steps need to be taken for every new DSO/TSO that wishes to integrate with the application:

DSO and TSO are required to be registered as users of the SYNERGY Platform
DSO and TSO are required to configure the necessary data check-in jobs, so required datasets get accessible through the platform

A version of the application is accessible at https://flexibility-mng-coordination.synergy-bigdata.eu

In conclusion, the Asset Management Tool Suite developed under WP5 of the SYNERGY project provides advanced grid-level analytics for optimized network and asset management services and applications. The suite comprises four applications, two of which have been explained in this article. These applications are two valuable tools for DSOs and TSOs to optimize their networks, assess network performance, and schedule resources efficiently. By utilizing available data, these applications provide valuable insights into network assets’ capacity and sizing requirements and facilitate optimal scheduling of flexible assets for congestion management and balancing needs. The applications require DSOs and TSOs to be registered as users of the SYNERGY platform and configure necessary data check-in jobs. Overall, these applications have the potential to improve the performance and efficiency of electricity networks significantly.

Stay tuned for the next article on Advanced Performance Monitoring/Forecasting and Predictive Maintenance and Asset Management Optimization for Power Grids Applications.

SYNERGY at ENLIT Europe 2022: Insights and Outcomes.

ENLIT Europe is one of the biggest industry fairs and conferences in the area of energy in Europe that addresses every aspect of the energy agenda. In 2022, the event was held in Frankfurt, Germany, from 29 November to 1 December. The event hosted over 18,000 visitors, 700 international exhibitors, more than 250 international utilities, 14 country pavilions, and 113 countries. 55 EU-funded R&I projects took part in the event and were displayed in the EU Project Zone – a meeting place for all energy-related projects.

SYNERGY at ENLIT

Ugo Stecchi of ETRA I+D, SYNERGY’s project coordinator, has provided us with overview of the ENLIT participation and the hopes for the coming year.

What was the main objective of participating in the ENLIT Conference?

“SYNERGY Project has renewed its participation at ENLIT conference again in 2022, as one of the most important events in Europe to meet all relevant stakeholders in the energy industry and present and share the results achieved so far in the project. From our Innovation Action project perspective, through the ENLIT participation it is possible on one hand to get in touch with the industry world, discover the technology trends and the off the shelf solutions at real-life problems. On the other hand, it is always interesting to be in a common forum with more European research and innovation projects and discuss about the state of the art in power and energy systems, while sharing visions and approaches to deal with current and upcoming challenges for the energy transition.”

How was the SYNERGY project presented at the ENLIT Conference?

We have been present to ENLIT with a project booth in the European Project Zone. Apart from ETRA as Project Coordinator, the event the Technical Coordinator Suite5 and the Communication and Dissemination Leader Smart Innovation Norway were present at the event as well, contributing to engage attendees and improve the communication to other stakeholders.

Moreover, during the first day of the conference, it was my pleasure to present the main achievements of SYNERGY project in a workshop dedicated to the digitalization of the energy sector. The EU Commission is determined to make the union ‘Fit for the Digital Age’. During this decade, the EU will strengthen its position in the digital arena and set standards. Data and Digitalization have a huge impact on the entire energy value chain, from generation to transport, distribution and consumption. Projects like SYNERGY are therefore important to contribute in this kind of discussion in order to focus on the topic and provide the community with feasible solutions for all our needs.

Finally, SYNERGY has been involved in the ENLIT podcast interview, where it was possible to introduce the novel framework platform, in response to the need for “end-to-end” coordination between the electricity stakeholders. In a nutshell, the framework references significant data architecture that leverages data, coming from diverse sources, enabling advanced analytics and services at the core of new data-driven business opportunities.

What was the outcome (s) of this event participation for the project?

As previously explained, it was a great opportunity to get in touch with other R&I projects and EC representatives to understand the current state of the energy transition and what are answers expected to the main problems for the next years.

The main topic at the centre of all the discussions was the data. It was undoubtedly the most recurrent object of talk and debate in a direct or indirect way and under several perspectives. Privacy, federation, sovereignty and intelligence are only the most relevant words associated to the data and they are representative of the main topics of discussion.

As a matter of fact data-driven power system modernization is a priority this year across the energy industry. But as the shift to renewables gathers pace, it must be ensured a proper and ethic use of all data generated. Therefore, energy sector in Europe should be able to face a double challenge at the same time: increase the renewables shares to meet the climate goals, while preserving the privacy of the data owners, that means ensuring IT infrastructure is fit for this complex purpose.

Why do you think participation in the ENLIT conference was significant?

ENLIT is the kind of place to be if you are working in such areas because of the participation of all actors and stakeholders involved in the energy sector. In recent year the presence of the EC representatives with delegates from many H2020 and Horizon Europe projects has enriched the event bringing the contribution of the R&I world and the vision of the European policy the point of view. Indeed it represents one of the main event in the energy domain and, as a big-data for energy project as SYNERGY is, it is definitely worth to participate share the main outcomes and lessons learnt from our project.

Thus, the SYNERGY project’s participation at ENLIT Europe 2022 provided a valuable opportunity to engage with the energy industry and R&I community, share our project outcomes, and learn about the latest technology trends and solutions. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the energy industry and collaborating with stakeholders to advance the energy transition.