Deep Decarbonization with EnCompass 5.0
Anchor Power Solutions announces the latest advancements in power system planning at the 2nd Annual EnCompass User Group Meeting.
With the release of EnCompass version 5.0, electric utilities and environmental advocates can evaluate the latest technologies to chart a cost-effective, reliable path to meeting clean energy goals. Anchor Power Solutions demonstrated the new version at the 2nd Annual EnCompass User Group Meeting, which was attended by representatives from more than 25 companies.
Power to Gas (Hydrogen Storage)
The carbon-free production, storage, and combustion of hydrogen is one of the most promising technologies to use excess renewable energy to reliably meet peak load requirements whenever they occur. EnCompass 5.0 includes fuel inventory logic that allows for resources like electrolysis to convert power into hydrogen gas based on an input kWh/kg rate. That hydrogen can then be stored and used in properly equipped combustion turbines in simple or combined cycle configurations.
For long term runs that can include capacity expansion (with electrolysis as an available option), EnCompass will determine the best times to produce and consume hydrogen, and the monthly levels of storage subject to maximum and minimum constraints. The monthly storage strategy will then automatically be used in detailed simulations which track and optimize hydrogen storage on a daily basis.
Dynamic Renewable and Limited Storage Firm Capacity
The effective load carrying capability (ELCC) of intermittent resources (e.g., wind and solar) and limited energy storage (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) tends to decline as more capacity is added, and in some cases will reach 0 once a tipping point is reached. The 5.0 release of EnCompass allows for multiple incremental ELCC curves to be defined for any group of resources. The capacity expansion logic in EnCompass will use these curves as part of the economic decision for selecting a resource plan. The average realized ELCC is then applied to all resources within the group for the purposes of reserve margin contribution and capacity valuation.
Anchor Power Solutions provides planning software and consulting services for the power industry with a focus on market price forecasting, economic transmission analysis, integrated resource planning, budgeting, and risk analysis. Anchor Power Solutions developed EnCompass Software to accomplish all these functions in a single, easy-to-use system. For a custom demonstration, contact info@anchor-power.com.
