As the landscape of the distribution system evolves with the rapid emergence of new renewable energy technologies, electric distribution utilities are challenged to accelerate DER deployment and process interconnection requests in a timely manner.
ENER-i™ software allows for performing assessments of the generation or load hosting capacity of a distribution system without compromising its reliability and power quality. The global trend for cleaner power, supported by the arrival of new technologies such as solar and wind farms as well as affordable rooftop photovoltaic panels, has forever changed the distribution system landscape. The ever-increasing volume of DER interconnection requests creates a need for new innovative engineering tools just like ENER-i™ Energy Intelligence Platform and InSights.
ENER-i.AI provides a cloud-based digital platform, designed to aggregate data from distributed energy assets and turn that into actionable business insights. The ENER-i™ software enables electric power distribution system simulations designed to support distributed energy resource (DER) grid integration and grid modernization. It enables engineers to perform complex analyses using a flexible, customizable, and easy-to-use platform intended specifically to meet current and future distribution system challenges and provides a foundation for understanding and integrating new technologies and resources.
By providing a more accurate overview of distributed energy assets with intelligent visualization, ENER-i.AI optimizes performance and increases ROI from your distributed energy investments. It enables seamless integration and connectivity between various energy sources enabling optimized visibility, control, and reliable operation of your traditional and renewable energy assets.
By providing new tools for solving optimal power flow problems at the grid edge and optimizing power flow between devices, utilities can help assure new DERs work for the grid and the grid works for DERs. With the right tools, like ENER-i.AI, in place, utilities can trust and rely on the DERs to avoid damage to the grid.
ENER-i.AI’s integrated load forecasting software can also help to integrate large amounts of unpredictable renewable energies, such as wind and solar power. The software also provides other asset management applications to fully integrate a utility’s business and enterprise systems across the entire value chain.
Customer adoption of DER and electrification occurs within a complex environment. Understanding how that environment influences the decision-making process is key to producing an accurate forecast of DER and electrification penetration growth and the subsequent impact on the electric system. On the distribution system, this understanding is dependent upon being able to accurately forecast the timing, location, type, and usage of all types of DER and electrification, singly and in combination.
DERs are commonly used to manage a number of smaller power generation and storage methods in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. They may be used by utility providers, businesses, and individuals in the production and storage of renewable power or for backup power sources. The technologies are fundamental requirements of more advanced power grids such as smart grids.