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@rconcep rconcep released this 27 Mar 21:24
· 348 commits to master since this release
v1.2.a
cbfa26e

Patch 1.2

This patch is the official release of QuESt BTM, the application for behind-the-meter energy storage analysis tools. A number of fixes and quality of life improvements for QuESt have also been implemented.

QuESt

QuESt Data Manager

  • A tool for downloading utility rate structure data has been implemented.
    • This tool is designed for use in behind-the-meter applications.
    • This tool leverages the OpenEI database through their API.
      • An API key, available through the OpenEI website, is required to use this tool.
    • Search for a utility in the U.S. Utility Rate Database and select a rate structure.
    • Search for a utility in the U.S. Utility Rate Database and select a rate structure.
    • The time-of-use energy and demand rate schedules are retrieved from the database, in addition to the monthly flat demand schedule.
    • The time-of-use energy and demand rate schedules are retrieved from the database, in addition to the monthly flat demand schedule.
    • Modify the period rates or rate schedules as desired.
    • Specify the net-metering scheme.
    • Save the rate structure for use in other QuESt applications.
    • Save the rate structure for use in other QuESt applications.
  • A tool for downloading simulated hourly load profiles for commercial and residential buildings has been implemented.
    • This tool is designed for use in behind-the-meter applications.
    • For commercial buildings, search by city to determine the climate and select from one of 17 different commercial building types.
    • For commercial buildings, search by city to determine the climate and select from one of 17 different commercial building types.
    • For residential buildings, specify the amount of load from "base", "low", and "high" and select the climate based on location.
    • For residential buildings, specify the amount of load from 'base', 'low', and 'high' and select the climate based on location.
  • A tool for downloading simulated photovoltaic power profiles has been implemented.
    • This tool is designed for behind-the-meter applications.
    • This tool leverages the PVWatts software through their API.
      • An API key, the same as the one used for the OpenEI utility rate structure database, is required to use this tool.
    • Specify parameters such as the location of the system in latitude and longitude coordinates, the nameplate capacity, the module and array types, and the system efficiency.
    • Specify parameters such as the location of the system in latitude and longitude coordinates, the nameplate capacity, the module and array types, and the system efficiency.
    • Save the photovoltaic power profile for use in other QuESt applications.

QuESt Valuation

  • The appearance of the Valuation Wizard has been slightly adjusted.
  • Some rudimentary value checking for energy storage system parameters has been implemented.
  • The terms for adjusting the allowable range of state of charge have been changed.
    • % of energy capacity to reserve for charging (default: 0) --> maximum state of charge (%) (default: 100)
    • % of energy capacity to reserve for discharging (default: 0) --> minimum state of charge (%) (default: 0)
  • The default initial (and final) state of charge has been set to 50% (was: 0).

QuESt BTM

  • A new application in the QuESt suite, QuESt BTM, has been implemented.
    • This application is designed to have a collection of tools for behind-the-meter energy storage.
  • The time-of-use cost savings wizard has been added to QuESt BTM.
    • This tool is for estimating the cost savings provided by energy storage for time-of-use and net-energy-metering customers.
    • Select a utility rate structure and load profile both of which can be obtained using QuESt Data Manager.
    • Select a utility rate structure.
    • Select a load profile.
    • Optionally, select a photovoltaic power profile which can also be obtained using QuEST Data Manager.
    • Select a PV profile (optional).
    • Describe the parameters of the energy storage system.
    • Describe the parameters of the energy storage system.
    • One year of operation will be simulated to minimize cost and the total bill with and without energy storage will be calculated. This includes energy charges, demand charges, and net metering charges and/or credits.
    • One year of operation will be simulated to minimize cost and the total bill with and without energy storage will be calculated. This includes energy charges, demand charges, and net metering charges and/or credits.
    • A summary report can be generated at the end of the wizard that includes more detail on the mathematical formulation, a summary of the scenario specified, and a summary of the results including figures.
    • A summary report can be generated at the end of the wizard that includes more detail on the mathematical formulation, a summary of the scenario specified, and a summary of the results including figures.
    • The results of each individual month can be analyzed further in the results viewer. This includes time series of the adjusted total power draw and the energy storage system's state of charge.
    • The results of each individual month can be analyzed further in the results viewer. This includes time series of the adjusted total power draw and the energy storage system's state of charge.

Miscellaneous

  • Multiset bar charts generated by, e.g., QuESt Valuation and QuESt BTM wizards, now annotate the maximum value for each set.
    Multiset bar charts now annotate the maximum value of each set.
  • The "solved model" list in results viewer tools now lists the models in reverse chronological order.
    Multiset bar charts now annotate the maximum value of each set.

Resolved issues

  • An issue where versions of the Pyomo (~5.6) package would cause QuESt to crash to desktop when trying to solve optimization models.
  • An issue where non-numeric characters could not be entered into the "NodeID" field in the ISO/RTO market and operations data tool in QuESt Data Manager. Previously, this prevented you from entering in Node ID values with alphanumeric characters and downloading the corresponding data.

Known issues

  • An issue where a blank image instead of the expected chart appears when generating a report from the QuESt Valuation wizard or QuESt BTM Time-of-Use Cost Savings wizard.
    • If this issue persists, we may consider using alternative means to generate the charts external to the GUI. Generating the report again may solve the issue.
  • An issue where search filters, such as those in selection lists or in the utility rate structure tool in QuESt Data Manager, are too sensitive to queries.
    • We plan on implementing "fuzzy" search or similar concepts to ease the use of these search tools and filters.
  • An issue where QuESt will be reported as "not responding" by the operating system during batch optimization processes such as those in the QuESt Valuation and QuESt BTM applications.
    • This is due to the processing requirements of solving the models preventing the GUI from being updated. We will consider restructuring how the computation is performed in order to minimize GUI freezes.
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