Battery storage modeling software has become an important part of commercial energy projects, especially ones that use renewable energy like solar. With the right tools, you can show potential investors accurate models that reveal the benefits of an energy storage system. The most powerful of these tools can also be used to monitor that system once it’s up and running.

Common uses for storage modeling software include analyzing electricity use patterns, utility charge rates, and battery performance. With this data, energy professionals can determine the financial value of a proposed system over time.

Predicting the Future

Analyzing Use Patterns

Storage modeling software works by first establishing a baseline. One of the tent poles of this baseline is energy use.

For models to be accurate, they must have a grasp of the energy use patterns of the facilities they’re assessing. These patterns are only predictions, of course, so the more information modeling software has access to, the more accurate its predictions will be.

Ideally, potential clients can provide information about their energy use spanning several months or up to a full year. This will allow the software to understand energy averages across billing periods, spikes in electricity use, and variations in usage across seasons.

Applying Utility Charge Rates

When calculating the benefits and savings provided by energy storage (one of the major uses for modeling software), utility charge rates play a big part. Utility bills vary based on region and energy use. Establishing the costs associated with these two factors helps modeling software predict utility costs for a company now and in the future. 

With this information, models can also pinpoint each place savings can be maximized. Combining data on energy use patterns and utility rates allows you to see exactly how a company might reduce demand charges or sidestep price hikes in high-use windows.

Predicting Battery Performance

Optimizing battery performance in modeling is standard when predicting the financial benefits of storage systems. Charge and discharge schedules are one of the primary levers energy storage systems give businesses, and they can provide major savings when applied correctly.

Storage modeling software should be able to take all the data so far mentioned and apply real-life battery usage to the predictions in ways that optimize savings. Powerful software is helpful in part because it can make long-term predictions. 

Batteries wear down, storage capacity changes, and scheduled maintenance requires system downtime. Good modeling software can account for these minor changes and predict how they will affect financial gains over time.

Modeling in Real Time

Once an energy storage system is up and running, if it was modeled using a software suite like that provided by Energy Toolbase, the same suite can be used to control and monitor the system in real time. 

All the complex data is applied to an algorithm that analyzes real-time site data and adjusts decisions accordingly. This is necessary because for all the planning and predictions modeling software can provide, real life application of those plans is unpredictable. No matter how much data was gathered to build early models, the best systems are constantly adjusting.

Help From Beginning to End

Energy Toolbase’s state-of-the-art software provides support and insight for the entire lifespan of an energy storage system. Our ETB Developer lets you quickly create proposals that convey the benefits of storage systems to potential clients and technical decision-makers. Once you’ve made the benefits clear and your project is deployed, ETB Controller maximizes your system’s economic value while ETB Monitor delivers real-time insights to support optimal scheduling.

Modeling software has its uses, and it can grant major insights into predicted systems and the future savings they might be able to provide. However, modeling isn’t enough on its own. Reach out to Energy Toolbase today to get the best in modeling, monitoring, and control software, no matter where in the timeline your project is!