At Covolt, we control renewable energy installations:
solar panels, batteries and, soon, charging stations. The goal is to get maximum efficiency from energy. We do this with smart algorithms that run in the cloud and communicate with local Electric Control Units (ECUs). These ECUs run on location at the installation. We record all these decisions and calculations: we log exactly which command was sent when and at the same time the ECUs collect measurement data from the installation. This includes current generation, consumption, grid supply and battery status. We send this data back to our servers for analysis. This happens at a high resolution: every 10 seconds we send and receive new data from over 650 installations.
That produces a huge amount of data. But data alone is not enough. To get real value out of it, we at Covolt have developed automated reporting pipelines. These systems process the raw data into clear reports, which we use to show what our smart steering has actually delivered.
Reports by product type
Our reporting pipelines aggregate the raw log data into quarter-hourly and daily data, which are then used to generate our reports. We generate reports by product of our services.
Curtailment
In curtailment, we temporarily turn off PV installations at times when the electricity price is unfavorable, such as when prices are negative, in order to avoid feed-in costs. In our reports, we show how many kWh were generated by the solar installation, and what the estimated yield of that was based on the applicable Day-Ahead prices.
We also calculate the added value of our control: what financial savings have been made because the installation was switched off during these unfavorable moments. Because we cannot measure the actual generation during curtailment, as the installation is off, we make an estimate of the missed production.
To do this, we use KNMI irradiation data from weather stations throughout the Netherlands. Based on the location and capacity of the installation, we calculate a realistic estimate of what would otherwise have been generated. For the financial settlement, we use the prevailing imbalance prices at the moments of curtailment.
Battery control
At Covolt, we control batteries based on price incentives in the imbalance market. That means we automatically make batteries charge when imbalance prices are low, and discharge when they are high, with the goal of maximizing financial returns.
In our reports, we show per day how much energy was charged and discharged, and at what imbalance prices this occurred. This gives customers insight into the added value of our steering and the volume of battery activity.
Measurement data related to battery activity is taken directly from the battery. This can sometimes differ from the official data from the meter or billing, for example due to internal losses of the battery (such as for temperature control) or because other devices are active on the same connection.
Expand further
Our goal is to offer reports for every part of our service. Therefore, we are currently expanding our reporting capabilities to two new products of our services:
CPO (Charge Point Operator): For customers with charging stations, we develop reports that provide insight into charging volumes. We also chart the number of HBEs (Renewable Fuel Units) generated. An HBE represents a financial value and is awarded for sustainably charged electricity, for example directly from PV production.
Nomination: In our nomination product, we bid energy into the market on a daily basis, based on forecasts of supply and feed-in per connection. The reports we develop for this show not only what bids we made, but also how accurate they were in the end in relation to actual energy flows.
Find out what
else we can do
for you
Together with you, we determine the required combination of services that fit your specific needs and goals. Regardless of whether you are, for example, an agriculturist or a large property manager.
