COP lowers control energy costs by approx. 207,000 dollars p.a.
As a part of short term Power Plant Optimization (SPO), BelVis ResOpt VK prepares the schedules to be registered in the balancing group for power plant and facility operation on the respective following days (day-ahead). In this process, the system weighs the options of own power generation and external procurement on the basis of currently available plants, valid contracts, legal regulations and energy prices. But there’s more: it also evaluates and facilitates a company’s ability to participate in the profitable control energy market. Experience has shown day-ahead forecasts suffer from a forecast error of multiple percentage points relative to the actual load profile. In the real example of a public utility with a maximum balancing group load of 100 MW, this forecast error was around 3.5%. Intraday forecasts are much more accurate, which is why BelVis ResOpt VK evaluates quarter-hourly values during the operating day in the current operations planning (COP) process. As a result, the forecast error in the application case cited above fell to around 1%. Automatic and profit contribution optimized balancing of forecast errors recognised in the short term through the use of own generation plants results in savings on expensive control energy.
Investment rapidly amortized
In the reference case, the public utility with a maximum 100 MW balancing group load was able to save approx. 207,000 dollars on control energy costs in a single year. In comparison, additional costs for short term additional energy generation, fuel procurement, etc. were around 89,200 dollars. Investment in the BelVis ResOpt VK system was amortized within a very short time period for this customer, and the system continues to generate profit in the long term.
New income source and planning security
The company did not only acquire a new source of income with BelVis ResOpt VK, greater planning security was also a part of the bargain: With this flexible system, the company is also well prepared for strategic planning, new construction, acquisitions, cooperation and contractual negotiations with suppliers and special tariff customers.
