TVA Has Selected EnCompass Planning Software
TVA has selected EnCompass planning software for their resource strategy needs.
The Resource Strategy group at TVA had previously managed multiple users accessing multiple databases and running multiple models, some of which were no longer being supported. Process efficiency was suffering due to the complicated logistics of ensuring consistent data and modeling assumptions were being used across the different software platforms and among different users.
Background
The Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) generates and distributes over 156 TWh of annual energy across 16,200 miles of transmission lines they manage. The generation portfolio includes several fossil and nuclear plants as well as numerous hydro and one pumped storage plant. TVA’s portfolio is increasing based on renewable energy sources with multiple solar and wind sites. Created by congressional charter on May 18, 1933, to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development to the Tennessee Valley, it was the first large regional planning agency of the federal government and remains the largest. TVA’s service area covers most of Tennessee, portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky, and small slices of Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.
The Need for New Software
The Resource Strategy group at TVA had previously managed multiple users accessing multiple databases and running multiple models, some of which were no longer being supported. Process efficiency was suffering due to the complicated logistics of ensuring consistent data and modeling assumptions were being used across the different software platforms and among different users.
The Evaluation
TVA initiated hands-on trials of new software options and considered four main categories for their evaluation:
- Capacity expansion & production costs. TVA wanted to model robust commitment in their expansion plan especially as they add more batteries and intermittent resources on their system. TVA wanted concurrent user ability with the software such as client server functionality. High priority was given to organization of datasets and scenarios and general data management.
- Stochastics. TVA wanted the ability to perform sophisticated stochastic treatment of variables including multiple distribution types, correlation between variables, and the ability to replicate results.
- Integrated resource planning (“IRP”) capabilities, TVA wanted to be sure they could replicate the filed IRP study done in 2019 using a single model and single database. This category also included the ability to automatically produce financial statements for selected capacity expansion plans, along with cash flows.
- Product support. This was measured by willingness to assist with model development, level of responsiveness, and documentation quality. This was evaluated during the trial period and by soliciting feedback from existing customers.
The Decision
At the end of the trial period, TVA determined that EnCompass was the clear choice for their resource strategy needs and licensed the product. EnCompass far outweighed other options considered in terms of ability for stochastics and IRP modeling. Additionally, Anchor Power Solutions scored higher than all other options for EnCompass product support. TVA is currently implementing the client/server version of EnCompass in a production environment.
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.