Forecast-based optimization and commercialization of flexible energy assets
Charging stations, electric cars, heat pumps and battery storage systems have one thing in common: their electricity consumption can be flexibly optimized in a fully automated manner. This forms the basis for our market and grid-oriented flex optimization “2.0”, which turns continuous fluctuations in the electricity price and congestion situation into benefits for electricity customers.
InnoCharge’s optimization logic integrates flexible energy assets into electricity markets and grids
The following modules of our forecast-based 360° flex optimization can be combined in parallel and as required for a low-cost and green power supply.
Optimization modules for flexibilization incentives behind the meter:
➊ Consume cheap photovoltaic power on site
How it works: Inexpensive electricity is increasingly generated decentrally on roofs where it can be consumed but is not always available. The InnoCharge-Flex optimization platform optimizes the decentralized assets in such a way that electricity consumption from the public grid is minimized and the consumption of locally generated PV electricity is increased.
Advantage: This is worthwhile because local surplus PV electricity is many times cheaper than electricity from the public grid.
➋ Avoid expensive peak loads of the customer’s site
How it works: In the commercial sector (over 100,000 kWh annual consumption), peak load-dependent grid charges provide an incentive for even power consumption. In the commercial sector, the InnoCharge Flex optimization platform dynamically reduces the maximum power consumption in such a way that expensive peak-load-dependent grid usage fees are saved. Depending on the electricity customer’s grid fee regime, the peak load measured annually or monthly is relevant.
Advantage: This is worthwhile because commercial customers also have to pay considerable grid usage fees in addition to the energy purchase, usually amounting to €150-200 per kilowatt of measured peak power per year.
➌ Intelligently distribute signals for power throttling
How it works: As distribution grid operators increasingly have to counteract the high simultaneity of electricity consumption, they have been allowed to throttle flexumer systems since January 2024, provided they have a connected load of more than 4.2 kW (Section 14a EnWG). The InnoCharge Flex optimization platform reacts to the dynamic throttling signals from the distribution grid operator and intelligently distributes the remaining power to several flex systems if necessary. In contrast to conventional individual system load shedding, several flex systems can thus be intelligently prioritized. From April 2025, dynamic grid charges (module 3) will be added, which require predictive optimization anyway, as provided by InnoCharge.
Advantage: This is worthwhile because the intelligent distribution of distribution grid operator throttling makes it possible to leverage the regulatory cost savings guaranteed by third parties (distribution grid operators) while at the same time increasing customer convenience.
Optimization modules for flexibilization incentives in front of the meter:
➍ Use dynamic electricity prices on the spot market
How it works: We used the difference in intraday electricity price fluctuations to create cost-optimized charging plans and recommendations for market actions. The InnoCharge-Flex optimization platform supports electricity suppliers at all levels of integration into electricity markets: Dynamic electricity tariffs (mandatory from 01.01.2025) can be a purely sales-based billing product or closely linked to actual balancing group management and electricity procurement, which are optimized by our intelligent algorithms both at the EPEX day-ahead auction, intraday auctions and continuous intraday trading.
Advantage: This is worthwhile because intraday price fluctuations on the spot market are considerable and will continue to increase. The average daily price fluctuations over 2023 amounted to 9.8 ct/kWh on the DA auctions, 17.6 ct/kWh on the ID auctions and 21.3 ct/kWh on the continuous ID market.
➎ Generate additional income through balancing power
How it works: Conventional power plants are gradually being shut down and renewable energy sources are being further expanded. Alternative providers of remunerated energy system services are therefore needed to stabilize our electricity grids. These are made possible by the InnoCharge Flex optimization platform. In recent years, the conditions on the balancing power market and balancing energy market have changed significantly in favor of small-scale flexibility (from 12h to 4h to 15min products). With InnoCharge, flexumer plants can be pooled and their ability to adjust output at short notice in the low minute range can be offered on control reserve markets. For the first time, this is possible on a scalable basis via intelligent metering systems.
Advantage: This is worthwhile because the marketing of balancing power results in cost savings through additional income: Depending on the type of balancing power, this consists of a flat-rate remuneration for the willingness to adjust output when required and an additional remuneration for the balancing energy actually supplied when activated by the transmission system operator.
➏ Avoid expensive balancing energy costs
How it works: For electricity suppliers, smart metering systems are moving flex customers from the previously risk-free balancing according to standard load profiles to the challenging quarter-hourly balancing. The customer segment with controlled flex systems will have to be actively managed in future, which will be made even more difficult by the increase in own generation and consumption. The InnoCharge Flex optimization platform enables the short-term schedule adjustment of flexible small systems based on the actual balancing group equilibrium.
Advantage: This is worthwhile because flexible energy devices make it easy to avoid balancing energy costs (reBAP). By moving away from standard load profiles, balancing energy costs for balancing responsible parties will increase considerably without countermeasures.
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Smart charging as example: With our interactive Flex Game, take on the role of the “Flex Director” yourself, who tirelessly creates smart charging plans for electric cars!