What the model optimizes for
The campus model finds the least-cost way to meet electrical demand using the configured grid connection, generation, storage and power purchase agreements. It chooses supply and storage operation while respecting asset limits and the specified load flexibility.
Campus demand and grid imports
- Campus demand: the power required by the large load.
- Grid imports: the power drawn through the site’s grid connection after accounting for onsite generation, storage charging and discharging, and load reduction.
- Billing quantity: the energy, demand, or contracted capacity used to calculate a tariff charge. This can differ from campus demand.
Grid imports, onsite generation and storage discharge together supply the served load, storage charging and other modeled outflows in each interval.
Supply and demand balance in each interval. The forecast reports planned load reductions, unmet demand, and excess supply separately.
Firm and flexible loads
- Firm load: cannot be voluntarily reduced to save on electricity costs.
- Flexible load: can be reduced when the electricity cost savings exceed the cost of reducing consumption. That cost is specified in $/MWh of reduction.
Served load is the required load after subtracting any voluntary reduction.
The load profile sets required power over time. Flexibility sets whether that requirement can be reduced.
Behind-the-meter assets
Onsite generation and storage change when and how much electricity is drawn from the grid. Their bill savings depend on which quantity is charged: total imported energy, the site’s own peak, or imports at a system peak.
| How the Charge Is Assessed | How campus operation affects the charge |
|---|---|
| Fixed | Changing the operating schedule does not change the amount due for the period. |
| Energy | Cost changes with imported MWh and the rate at that time. For charges applied at system peaks, imports during those peaks matter. |
| Capacity (demand-based) | Cost changes with the highest grid import during the hours used for billing. Each utility page explains the demand rules used. |
Standalone dispatch
- Load modeling: minimizes the total cost of serving the large load.
- Standalone dispatch: maximizes net revenue from storage, generation, and power purchase agreements, accounting for market revenues, operating costs, and contract terms.
When these resources serve a large load, their operation contributes to minimizing its total supply cost. Both approaches respect asset operating limits and the grid-connection limit.
See the dispatch methodology for standalone asset operation and market participation.