PowerSchedule:

Optimizing Generation Schedules for Hybrid Power Plants

Hybrid power plants combine wind turbines, PV systems, electrolysers, storage systems and heating systems on the same site. Yet they also present a key question, namely how to control the production and storage of electricity, hydrogen and heat within this combined system in order to minimize costs or maximize yield.

PowerSchedule uses automated means to answer this question as part of day-to-day operations. The software calculates mathematically optimized generation schedules for Power-to-X (PtX) systems and produces time series of setpoints. These series are transmitted straight to the systems as operating instructions, reducing the costs required to achieve the necessary yield from the same integrated power plant.

PowerSchedule optimizes generation schedules for green hydrogen and heat as cost-efficiently as possible.

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What PowerSchedule can do

Optimizing capacity utilization at grid connection points where systems are oversized

Where generation capacity exceeds grid capacity, the adjusted schedules will ensure optimum feed-in using flexible loads, thus producing green hydrogen from energy that would otherwise be lost.

Embedding optimization within the software package

Rather than just making the calculation logic for optimized schedules available in isolation, PowerSchedule embeds it in a software package that can be used in situ with interfaces for live data transfer. This package includes all the systems, a front end for inputting parameters on site, and components for data preparation, visualization and backup and for monitoring operations.

Optimized setpoint calculation

PowerSchedule calculates a detailed time series of setpoints for each PtX system in the network. These setpoints define when a system is to generate, compress or store hydrogen or heat and how much electricity to consume in the process. The calculation takes account of how much electricity is currently being or forecast to be generated from wind and PV as well as market prices, economic factors and technical operating limits.

Controlling schedules for green hydrogen and heat

The generation schedules calculated in this way control the production of green hydrogen and heat by automated means. Setpoints can be calculated days in advance for electricity procurement purposes or determined for ongoing operations. PowerSchedule adapts the schedules calculated in advance to the actual situation on the ground every 15 minutes.

How PowerSchedule is integrated into ENERTRAG Powersystem

PowerSchedule is an ENERTRAG Powersystem module and makes use of the existing infrastructure:

Powersystem feature	Benefit for PowerSchedule
Live data transmission	Real-time data from all systems in the network to underpin calculations for optimizing the schedule
Operational monitoring	Monitoring PtX systems via the same user interface as wind turbines and PV systems
Performance analysis	Comparing actual hydrogen and heat generation against planned setpoints
System monitoring with Influx	Detailed time series data on electrolysers for in-depth operational analyses
Forecasting	Predicting the amount of wind and PV power available

Lower costs for hybrid power plants

PowerSchedule optimizes generation schedules for green hydrogen and heat.

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Who is PowerSchedule suitable for?

Operators of hybrid power plants use PowerSchedule to maximize yield from their combined system or minimize their costs. The software coordinates the production of electricity, hydrogen and heat and exploits redispatch situations for commercial gain by regulating the output of flexi-type power plants.

PowerSchedule gives operators of PtX systems an automated schedule control function that runs their electrolysers and heat systems in line with the renewable energy available. The setpoint time series replace manual deployment planning with optimized, data-driven operating instructions.

Benefits of PowerSchedule

Costs kept to a minimum: PowerSchedule minimizes the costs required to provide green hydrogen by making skilful use of market prices and the renewable energy available.
Utilization not curtailment: in the event of a redispatch request, the output regulation function for flexi-type power plants converts excess production into hydrogen instead of shutting systems down.
Automated operating instructions: precise setpoint time series replace manual deployment planning and reduce operational risks.
An integral part of ENERTRAG Powersystem: no separate system, no interruption to the data flow. PowerSchedule leverages the ENERTRAG Powersystem software environment that has been developed over many years, including its software features for data management, monitoring and performance analysis as well as its established structures for customer support, amongst other things.
Tried and tested: ENERTRAG uses PowerSchedule to run its own systems. The software is the product of day-to-day experience with real-life integrated power plants.