Energy Optimisation Calculator

This calculator simulates the energy consumption, production and cost implications of various setups including electric batteries, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, electric vehicle charging and renewable energy sources. It can be used for analysing and minimising operational costs in energy management systems. 
CalculationAssumptions
Assumes a constant efficiency for power generators, not accounting for efficiency drops after the solar period, which may impact fuel cost accuracy.
Assumes a linear increase in electricity prices per hour, without seasonal variation (winter/summer prices).
Models daily fluctuations in power requirements as static inputs, not dynamically varying.
Treats export and CHP generation percentages as fixed values, not adjusting dynamically with changing conditions. 
Uses fixed demand charge rates and thresholds, not accounting for potential variations in peak demand scenarios.
Standardised to 24 hours, modeling daily cycles rather than long-term trends.
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Input parameter
Parameter explanation
﻿﻿Hours
:24.00hr​
﻿
Hours (h)
﻿﻿Base Electricity Price
:30.00​
﻿
Base Electricity Price ($/MWh)
﻿﻿Price Increase per Hour
:17.00​
﻿
Price Increase per Hour ($/MWh)
﻿﻿Base Power Requirement
:10.0MWh​
﻿
Base Power Requirement (MWh)
﻿﻿Daily Variation
:10.00MWh​
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Daily Variation (MWh)
﻿﻿Fuel Price
:20.00​
﻿
Fuel Price ($/MWh)
﻿﻿Demand Charge Rate
:2,000​
﻿
Demand Charge Rate ($/MWh)
﻿﻿Demand Charge Threshold
:2.00MWh​
﻿
Demand Charge Threshold (MWh)
﻿﻿Efficiency
:3.00​
﻿
Efficiency (unitless)
﻿﻿Export Percentage
:25%​
﻿
Export Percentage
﻿﻿CHP Generation Percentage
:125%​
﻿
CHP Generation Percentage
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Output parameter
Parameter explanation
﻿﻿Total Operational Cost ($)
:3,904,569​
﻿
Total Operational Cost ($)
﻿﻿Total Fuel Cost ($)
:3,647,858​
﻿
Total Fuel Cost ($)
﻿﻿Total Electricity Cost ($)
:220,711​
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Total Electricity Cost ($)
﻿﻿Demand Charge ($)
:36,000​
﻿
Demand Charge ($)
﻿﻿Avg Site Electric Load
:10.00MWh​
﻿
Avg Site Electric Load (MWh)
﻿﻿Avg Site Export Power
:0.03MWh​
﻿
Avg Site Export Power (MWh)
﻿﻿Avg CHP Generation
:0.13MWh​
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CHP Electric Generation (MWh)
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Output graph & tables﻿
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Understanding the Tables
ExplanationThe purpose of the Energy Optimisation Calculator is to provide insights into how different variables affect the overall energy costs of a facility or system. 
Below are the key equations used in this calculator.
👉Note, costs are evaluated in $ and power in MWh.
Fuel Costs Equation:
           Fuel Costs ﻿=
 Efficiency Power Requirement ﻿×
 Fuel Price
This formula calculates the cost of fuel necessary for power generation, adjusted for the efficiency of the energy system. It underscores the direct relationship between fuel efficiency and operational expenditure.
Electricity Costs Equation:
          Electricity Costs ﻿=
 Electricity Prices ﻿×
 Power Requirement
This formula computes the expenditure incurred from consuming electricity, factoring in the variability of electricity prices over time. This equation is crucial for evaluating the financial impact of grid electricity usage.
Demand Charge Equation:
          Demand Charge ﻿=
 Demand Charge Rate ﻿×
 ﻿max(
0, Peak Demand* ﻿−
Demand Charge Threshold﻿)
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*Peak Demand is the highest power requirement observed.
The focus of demand charge is on the additional costs incurred when electricity demand surpasses a predetermined threshold, emphasizing the importance of managing peak demand to avoid significant charges.
Total Costs Equation:
            Total Costs ﻿=
﻿﻿∑(
Fuel Costs ﻿+
 Electricity Costs﻿)
 ﻿+
 Demand Charge
This cumulative equation consolidates all pertinent costs into a single metric, offering a comprehensive overview of the financial outlays associated with energy management within the specified simulation period.
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ReferencesComplex Objective Function Terms in Energy Optimization:
EnergyPyLinear. (2021). "How to Use Complex Objective Function Terms." Retrieved from https://energypylinear.adgefficiency.com/1.3.0/how-to/complex-terms/.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation:
Thumann, A., & Younger, W. J. (2008). "Handbook of Energy Audits." Fairmont Press.
Dincer, I., & Rosen, M. A. (2012). "Energy: Production, Conversion, Storage, Conservation, and Coupling." Springer. 
Energy Management and Optimization:
Dhillon, B. S. (2008). "Life Cycle Costing for Engineers." CRC Press.
K. Sopian and L. Y. H. Lim (2013). "Advances in Solar Energy Technology." InTech. 
Mathematical Modeling for Energy Systems:
Wood, A. J., & Wollenberg, B. F. (2012). "Power Generation, Operation, and Control." Wiley.
Beasley, J. E. (Ed.). (2014). "Mathematical Programming for Industrial Engineers." CRC Press.
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