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N-SIDE helps system operators make optimal decisions by providing AI software solutions, from system planning to the control room of the future.
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Seamlessly match supply and demand in challenging electricity markets. N-SIDE is the trusted provider of auction-based electricity market clearing algorithms.
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N-SIDE uses machine learning to produce a variety of forecasts for system operators, including system imbalance forecast, reserve needs forecast and congestion risk forecast.
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This robust market clearing algorithm matches supply and demand bids in a closed-gate auction fashion, considering potential congestion and other constraints.
Outage Planning Optimization
Leverage advanced analytics to determine the optimal strategy and daily schedule for grid interventions and related outages.
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TSOs: dynamically adapt reserves volume based on the real imbalance risk faced by the system using machine learning and advanced analytics.
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OUTAGE PLANNING OPTIMIZATION
Optimized maintenance
and outage planning
Determine the optimal strategy and daily schedule for grid interventions and related outages, leveraging advanced analytics to integrate your constraints and achieve your business objectives.
More network activities.
Fewer outage opportunities.
What now?
With the energy landscape in full transition, more infrastructure projects and maintenance works are needed on the electrical grid. At the same time, system and network operators have fewer opportunities for outages and more uncertainty related to outage timing.
To respond to these growing challenges, N-SIDE, together with the Belgian TSO Elia, developed a generic optimization software product for system and network operators. This innovative solution allows for more agile, integrated, and optimal planning of grid interventions and related outages.
Load Flow Forecasting Services
Nodal Load Forecasting Services
System Parameters Forecasting Services
How it works
Optimize your intervention and outage
planning with advanced analytics.
With the Outage Planning Optimization tool, you’re able to optimally schedule, with daily granularity, up to 10,000 outage needs coming from your Asset Management and Investment tools for a time horizon spanning from year-ahead planning to week-ahead updates.
Due to the size and the complexity of the exercise, N-SIDE selected constraint programming to model and solve the problem. This innovative analytics technique makes it possible to consider multiple customizable business objectives with network and resource constraints in an integrated way.
This explicit modelling of operational constraints and business objectives allows for more stable planning of activities when possible as well as more agile planning when necessary, to quickly adapt to unexpected changes in operating conditions.
The solution also enables multiple users to collaborate with a single tool:
- Enable planners and foremen to keep track of planned interventions and frequently update grid activity needs and resource availability
- Enable network analysts and planning engineers to schedule and track planned outages over time on multiple voltage levels, and adapt network constraints based on the evolution of the grid
- Enable key decision makers to understand the impact of prioritizing one business objective over others by performing what-if scenario testing and sensitivity analysis
Parameters may include:
- Prioritization and requested execution intervals of grid activities
- Incompatibilities and dependencies of grid activities
- Workforce availability, capacity, and competencies (dispatchers, field technicians, switching operators, etc.)
- Impact on the security of supply: criticality of outages, risk of energy not served or not injected, outage opportunities, and incompatibilities
- Impact on the market (e.g. cross-border capacity)
Inputs
On top of your data, the N-SIDE Energy Forecasting Platform leverages more than 500 data sources and 50,000 free parameters to generate high-quality forecasts. Inputs include fundamentals data (consumption, generation mix, renewable generation, weather data, etc.), direct market information and your data through a Push API .
Algorithm
We focus on using families of algorithms such as boosted regression trees and deep neural networks that are not prone to the black-box effect, and we’ve even developed a proprietary algorithm with a dedicated user interface to deliver the maximum level of interpretability.
Forecasts
Forecasts are delivered and updated at the optimal moment in order to maximize their business value. They are available on a reliable user-friendly platform, giving you the opportunity to adapt the tool to your own workflows. You’ll also benefit from a clear visualization of your performance.
This same platform supports all our other forecasting applications, enabling you to access all your forecasters in one place.
Integration and Support
Our forecast results are available by default through a secure API connection, making it simple to integrate the Energy Forecasting Platform with your existing systems and operational processes.
Meanwhile, our support and maintenance services ensure robust, reliable, and secure operation through our Service Desk:
- Single point of contact per client, you will always be heard
- Easy tracking of the request for us but for you as well
- Share tickets to your colleagues
Interpretability
Precision without understanding is nothing. Our platform comes with a graphical interface and a transparency dashboard that ensures you can understand, at any moment, the impact of each driver and data source.
“N-SIDE, as a flexible partner in this innovative development, is a key success factor for a breakthrough project. Contacts are on the same page as our business representatives. They understand each other and there is trust and a real will to go the extra mile.”
Nick Van Peborgh Synapse Program Leader, Elia
Increase the number of maintenance works and new infrastructure projects executed each year by optimizing the distribution of your grid activities and the use of your operational teams.
expenses
Reduce the workload of your planners, network analysts, foremen, and switching operators by combining their business expertise with the power of advanced analytics and by reducing the number of required switching operations.
Reduce stress on the grid by grouping activities on the same network assets and scheduling works on critical assets during the least risky periods.
and agility
Optimize your planning based on explicit parameters to increase stability. Then re-optimize your planning more frequently to quickly adapt to unexpected changes in operating conditions.
Get the full picture of your planning
in a single tool and improve the
connection between the planners,
network analysts, and foremen
involved in the process.
10-40% increase in the share of your maintenance plan executed each year
15-25% increase in interventions per outage
10-20% decrease in planned outages and associated switchings
8-10% decrease in planned outage duration
Explore more solutions for system operators.
Related Services
Co-creation
With our co-creation approach, we tackle new challenges together with our clients by applying cutting-edge techniques from the extensive N-SIDE analytics toolbox.
learn more
Match-integrate-support
Our match-integrate-support service is a step-by-step approach to facilitate the gradual adoption of our software products while mitigating risk within your organization.
learn moreFeatured resources
Webinar
From feasible to optimized outage planning: leveraging the power of Advanced Analytics at Elia Transmission Belgium
We speak with Elia about how constraint programming has been combined with business know-how, leading to more agile, integrated, and optimal outage planning.
Watch now
Brochure
Outage planning optimization brochure
Learn all the details about how the Outage Planning Optimization solution can be integrated in your business.
Read now
Partner site
Synapse: innovative operational planning enabled by advanced analytics
Visit Elia’s website to learn more about the Outage Planning Optimization solution we developed together.
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