How to manage electricity sharing even without an expert
Electricity costs are a topic that every consumer deals with today. How much electricity do we use? How much can we produce? Do we have surpluses? And what should we do with them? At first glance, simple questions. In practice? Quite complex.
Annual consumption is not enough
Basic electricity flows are measured in 15-minute intervals in kilowatts. Electricity sharing is also evaluated in kilowatts. The annual or monthly consumption in kilowatt hours, which we know from invoices, is therefore not enough.
What matters is knowing exactly:
- when we produce electricity,
- when we need it,
- when surpluses occur.
For example, schools have high consumption during teaching hours but almost none during holidays. Companies have high consumption during the workweek but very little on weekends. If a similar facility has photovoltaics on the roof, surpluses arise precisely when operations are ‘idle.’ Without data, this isn’t immediately visible. With simulation, we can accurately identify periods of low consumption and calculate the potential for surpluses.
We have the data. But do we know how to use it?
Most consumers with annual consumption above 4 MWh have a meter with so-called interval (load profile) measurement installed. Every 15 minutes, it records the measured power value. Detailed data on electricity measurement and consumption can be obtained from the distribution system operator, electricity supplier, or the market operator.
The problem is that for a single consumption point, this amounts to 35,000 values. If we also add production data and another consumption point to which we want to share electricity, we quickly exceed 100,000 values. Now imagine a situation where we have:
- a school with planned photovoltaics,
- a kindergarten,
- a municipal office with installed photovoltaics,
- a cultural center,
- a social services facility,
- a fire station building,
- public lighting.
Calculating the expected surpluses - which we ideally want to reduce to zero after sharing - becomes a data jungle. It’s therefore no surprise that decisions are often made “by guess” or “we’ll build it and see.” But in energy projects, this can lead to poor investments or untapped potential.
Enesim simulation. What if...
This is exactly where simulations come into play. They allow you to answer questions such as:
- What if we add a new energy source?
- What if we connect multiple buildings?
- What if we start sharing electricity?
Suddenly, you’re not guessing. You’re testing, experimenting, and combining. And that makes a big difference. That’s exactly why the Enesim online application was created. It helps you understand your own “small-scale” energy system without the need for a team of experts.
In practice, it allows you to:
- simulate electricity production (e.g. from solar panels),
- analyze building consumption,
- identify where surpluses occur,
- design electricity sharing.
In other words, it turns a mass of numbers into a clear and understandable picture. If the system of production, consumption, and sharing is set up correctly, it is possible to utilize all the electricity produced. And that’s exactly what we want.