Stem Inc. Improves Energy Optimisation Using Predictive AI
Challenge
Stem Inc. wanted to create a program that would predict peak electricity demands. By lessening energy costs, it could predict the most cost-effective moment to buy electricity and enable efficient usage during more expensive peak hours.
Outcome
We arrived at a solution to improve Stem’s fixed assets efficiency by charging its batteries during off-peak time. By using batteries for electricity storage effectively, we were able to create a model capable of lowering the electricity cost for Stem’s customers by 60%.
Forecasting energy demand
Energy strategies can vary market to market. For example, Ontario, Canada is a specific market with a 'global adjustment' model requiring energy providers to predict on what hour of the day peak electricity demand occurs.
Knowledge about how the demand will regularly fluctuate is therefore crucial. However, it is challenging to predict how hundreds of millions of consumers will behave and how their energy consumption will affect the aggregate electricity demand on a national level.
Generally, electricity consumption has to be evenly matched with electricity generation at all times to ensure a safe, stable supply. Still, the demand for and production of electricity fluctuates heavily depending on different hours, days of the week, months, etc., with supply not always coinciding with the electricity grid demand.
Stem Inc., a global leader in AI-driven energy storage, approached Endava to deliver a study on the Global Adjustment model and a pilot project creating a program that would predict peak electricity demands. This program would help to reduce energy costs by predicting the most cost-effective moment to buy electricity and enable efficient usage during the more expensive peak hours.
A custom-made solution
Together with Stem, we devised an AI roadmap to help create a proof of concept and ultimately deliver a custom-made solution for forecasting electricity demand.
Endava’s domain experts closely collaborated with Stem to evaluate the right approach and to recommend the most suitable data sources, algorithm and enhancements.
Thorough testing techniques were implemented throughout the project, mainly:
- Unit tests to ensure all code met quality standards before deployments
- Component tests to verify the input and output behaviour of the forecasting solution
- Integration tests to eliminate any faults in the interaction of integrated units
World-class expertise in AI and ML
Our world-class expertise in the fields of predictive AI, machine learning (ML), and data analytics were a big factor in project success, coupled with:
- High-performance cloud development
- Building scalable microservice architecture running in the cloud and on Internet of Things (IoT) devices
- Developing application programme interfaces (APIs) and RESTful endpoints (i.e., the end locations or touchpoints of API ‘requests’ to receive information via ‘responses’ of transferrable data or resources that help APIs carry out their functions)
With this Global Adjustment peak prediction project, we wanted to create a pilot that would enable us to continuously innovate, lead in multiple marketplaces, fulfil our promise to save energy, reduce costs for our customers and support integration of renewables on the grid. In Endava and its innovative and resourceful AI team, we collaborated with a partner who supported the data engineering within our AI-driven smart energy storage services.
CTO, Steam Inc.
Larsh Johnson
Cutting costs by 60%
The solution for forecasting electricity demand was made to improve Stem’s fixed assets efficiency by charging the batteries during off-peak time and using the stored energy during peak time when the difference in electricity price is highest.
By using batteries for electricity storage effectively, we'd created a model that could substantially lower the electricity cost for Stem’s customers. In some cases, overall electricity costs were lowered by 60%.
Through accurate forecasting, we could cut down the battery charge cycles and charging time, improving their lifespan, thus reducing servicing costs and potentially improving Stem’s profit margins.
Balancing the pressure on the transmission and distribution network during peak time could help reduce the costs of electricity production during this period and increase the infrastructure's longevity.
We also created more opportunity to optimise the grid storage technology, paving the way for a greater adoption of renewable electricity sources such as solar power plants, tidal energy and wind.
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