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Load Profiling & Forecasting

For dynamic load profiling, Agulhas uses statistical models. These models reflect changes in loads associated with day-of-the-week (e.g. Monday through Sunday), holidays (e.g. Christmas, New-year's Day, etc), hours of daylight and temperature conditions (e.g. Daily Maximum and Minimum dry bulb temperatures). Agulhas uses these load forecasting models and the actual values for the independent variables in conjunction with actual customer usage to calculate hourly profiles.

Defining Tariff Structures

Electricity and water tariffs should be simple and easy to understand. The structure and price levels are of decisive importance when trying to influence and change the load profiles. Tariffs should be proposed to recover costs equitably amongst customers with similar consumption patterns.

A comprehensive understanding of the consequences to both customers and utility will help to avoid unnecessary sources of irritation and complaints.

Construction of a new tariff should start with an analysis of load characteristics, load curves for different customer groups, load factors as well as load aggregation on selected levels in the network. It is also essential to have an updated customer database.

Electricity tariffs should typically be classed as residential or non-residential. Non-residential may be further subdivided into general service and special-use tariffs (special-use tariffs include street-lighting and agriculture, for example). For the general service category, some utilities explicitly distinguish between commercial and industrial, but most do not. There are usually several general-service tariffs for different customer sizes (size is defined by the value of the annual peak load), and each size class generally has a default tariff.

Any new tariff should be tested on samples of the particular customer groupings.

When implementing a new load management tariff, the utility should consider a broader feasible solution to its customers by installing a distinct set of electronic devices to help them to see the affect of their consumption patterns. Together with the new tariff, these investments should be paid back in a relatively short time, helping to lower load demand - a win-win solution for both partners.

It is ideal to introduce load demand tariffs in concert with the introduction of a remote meter system (AMR) system to cater for readings at regular intervals. This means that this new tariff should be seen as a part of a development of products and services connected to the AMR system.

The advanced features of a combined solution of load management tariffs and an AMR system can improve customer service and save needs of administration. Extra value-added services related to billing, energy statistics, monitoring, energy guidance, grid optimisation etc, can create new possibilities and values for the concern and its customers.

Data Analysis

Drafting Policies

Budget Prediction

Budgeting for utility bills can be difficult mainly because of late arrivals and estimated bills. Consumption data can be supplied from the fiscal meter and from the sub-metering system to have a clear indication of consumption and cost. Our sophisticated bill checking procedures help to ensure that our customers only pay for what they use and that they are alerted when bills with discrepancies come in. This will help to smooth the reconciliation process at the end of the financial period.

Energy Procurement

To obtain the best purchasing deals requires a detailed knowledge of how the commodity is used. This calls for accurate load profiles and an ability to modify it to affect the type of contract and price best suited for a utility.

Agulhas can determine the likely requirements through a site by site load profiling exercise which can also serve both as a tender specification and a template upon which to compare offers by suppliers. Furthermore, we can carry out the analysis of suppliers’ bids according to our customers’ specified criteria and provide recommendations based on this assessment. In this way, we can help our clientele’ to make the best choice of utility contracts.