Event Schedule

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Xcelerate Orlando

Day 1 Schedule of Events

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Breakfast

Foyer

PLEXOS Certification Training for Beginners

Introducing the Fundamental Training Program

This training will introduce modelling practices in PLEXOS for planning and operations related to renewable and hybrid energy projects. The training will cover how the entire lifecycle process is optimised, from long-term planning to short-term portfolio operations, and how it is used to power a carbon-free future.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Hands on practice building a small power network
  • How to add external data to PLEXOS and Running the model using scenarios
  • Exercises that enhance the model using Markets and Custom Constraints
  • Explore some bulk work practices and explaining how to add detail to a system description
  • How outages are used to determine system adequacy
  • Demonstrating the importance of the MT Schedule
  • Understanding how data is handled and evaluated to generate a long-term plan

Palazzo A

PLEXOS Intermediate/Advanced Training

Introducing the Advanced Training Program

This training will walk through modelling practices in PLEXOS for intermediate/advanced power users.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Diving deeper into alternative PLEXOS use cases
  • Explore batteries vs hydrogen storage vs pump storage vs EVs
  • Compare performance vs precision and analyse LT-ST convergence
  • Investigate modelling losses and congestion & contingency analysis
  • Examine more deeply cloud automation/CLI, stochastics and dashboard building
  • Dive into water values, stochastic dual dynamic programming and rolling horizons
  • Learn more about performance vs precision, plus unexpected behaviours in ST
  • Universal PLEXOS will highlight workflows around combinatorial optimization and an activity called 'Choose Your Team'

Palazzo B

PLEXOS gas Training

Introducing the Advanced Training Program

The PLEXOS Gas training track will focus on all things gas related, starting off with the basics of using PLEXOS which is tailored to those primarily modelling gas problems. The goal through the first day will be to ensure that those attending can become PLEXOS Gas certified users. The second day is meant to move PLEXOS Gas users into advanced users with many tips, tricks, and modelling suggestions. Users can expect to be more proficient in understanding PLEXOS, gas classes, and gas market fundamentals.
 
Key Takeaways:
  • Learn about the PLEXOS workflow and structure focused on PLEXOS Gas
  • Be able to understand System Modelling of the gas module
  • Build models as you go through each learning session
  • Go through the hands-on Gas Certification exercises
  • Understand how steps, blocks, mixing block sizes, solver settings, and performance tuning help with Managing Performance
  • Learn system balancing supply and demand techniques
  • Understand portfolio vs market fundamental modelling

Palazzo C

AURORA Fundamentals Training

Introducing the Fundamentals Training Program

The Aurora fundamentals track is designed for new users or those who want to refresh the basics. This track will focus on the Aurora Navigation and simulation options. We will spend extra time on Database Management and some tips and tricks for viewing and editing the data itself. Modelling resources is a popular topic that we will deep dive into. Upon completion a certificate will be issued.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Identify the four main parts of the Aurora Project Setup Window: Active Study Type, Study Period, Output and Study Cases
  • Learn about Active Study Type, how to change the Study Period, and how to change the name and location of the output database
  • Be able to explain most of the logic options found in the Simulation Options window
  • Identify logic settings that apply to specific study types (e.g., Long-term study settings)
  • Explain most of the logic options found in the Simulation Options window
  • Identify logic settings that apply to specific study types (e.g., Long-term study settings)
  • Be able to describe the unit commitment and economic dispatch problem
  • Explain how zone prices are formed
  • Describe the major pieces of hydro logic
  • Designate a resource as commitment or must run and explain the difference
  •  Generally, describe the types of load-modifying programs that Aurora can model, and which fuel types must be used to model each program type
  • Locate and describe Long Term Capacity Expansion (LTCE) input data

Palazzo F

AURORA Advanced Training

Introducing the Advanced Training Program

The advanced Aurora track is also designed for those with a few years of Aurora experience that want to dive into unique use cases. We have hand-picked topics that will help you understand and use Aurora. This is not for beginners. Target experience is 3+ years. A certificate of completion will be issued.
 
Key Takeaways:
  • A focus on decarbonization approaching in US energy markets. Future resource options include renewables, energy storage, electric vehicles, demand response & conservation programs that will be part of a carbon-constrained future.
  • Learn how Aurora can model batteries and pump storage. Deeper working examples will be deployed.
  • Come and learn key takeaways focused on Risk Capability for a selection of input variables such as fuel, demand, and hydro.
  • Explore the co-optimization of resources to meet ancillary services and energy requirements.
  • A deep dive into workflow automation in Aurora will focus on Change Sets, Parameter Sets, and Parallelization options to automate your studies
  • Modelling constraints using Aurora is a hot topic that will be discussed in depth
  • The last session is an all-out focus on Data. Specifically, the process, offering, and calibration of datasets.

Palazzo G

8:45 am - 9:00 am

Set Up

Get Connected

We'll help you get up and running with your temporary PLEXOS/Aurora license before training begins.

All training rooms: Palazzo A, B, C, F & G

9:00 am - 10:30 am

PLEXOS Certification Training for beginners

Getting Started with PLEXOS, Workflow & Data Structure

PLEXOS is an object-oriented development environment that makes adding resources and building networks a straightforward task. In this session we introduce the software interface and the logic that drives system optimization decisions. We also talk about a layered workflow approach that allows users to model complex systems one step at a time.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Get familiar with the PLEXOS interface. 
  • Exploration of the use cases that PLEXOS solves for.
  • Understanding how a solution is formulated. 
  • Introduction to Long-Term, Medium-Term, and Short-Term studies. 

Palazzo A

PLEXOS Intermediate/Advanced Training

PLEXOS for the Expert

By introducing alternative PLEXOS use cases, this session aims to expand the participants’ modelling horizon, providing them with new ways to use PLEXOS.

Key Topics: 

  • Constructing Optimization Problems in PLEXOS.

Palazzo B

PLEXOS gas Training

PLEXOS Intro, Workflow, Data Structure

PLEXOS is an object-oriented development environment that makes adding resources and building networks a straightforward task. 
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Introduce the software interface and the logic that drives system optimization decisions
  • Layered workflow approach that allows users to model complex systems one step at a time.

Palazzo C

AURORA Fundamentals Training

AURORA Navigation

You will learn how to navigate the Aurora interface. As you learn the Aurora workflow, you will see how to open a project and the associated files, where to adjust settings, and how to generate output.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • This will focus on the Aurora Navigation and simulation options. 
  • Modelling resources

Palazzo F

AURORA Advanced Training

Aurora’s Long-term Capacity Expansion – Options for Improving Performance and Results

The ability to evaluate different approaches to meeting de-carbonization goals in U.S. energy markets.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Explore the new features and improved functionality
  • Options required to meet future energy needs and de-carbonization goals
  • Renewables, energy storage, electric vehicles, demand response & conservation programs

Palazzo G

10:30 am - 11:00 am

Morning Coffee Break

11:00 am - 12:30 pm

PLEXOS Certification Training for beginners

Power System Modeling in PLEXOS

Our skills-based training approach gets participants working in the model and producing results right away. Each topic is immediately followed by a short exercise that illustrates the main concepts, increases confidence, and improves productivity.

Key Takeaways: 

  • How to configure the database 
  • Build and connect objects 
  • Understand Time Slices 

Palazzo A

PLEXOS Intermediate/Advanced Training

The Power Storage Dilemma

An important question surrounding renewables is how to ensure system reliability. In this session we explore the advantages and disadvantages of various storage technologies. 

Key Topics: 

  • Batteries  
  • Hydrogen Storage 
  • Pump Storage  
  • Electric Vehicles 

Palazzo B

PLEXOS gas Training

Gas System Modelling in PLEXOS

 
Skills-based training gets participants working in the model and producing results right away.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Short exercises that illustrate the main concepts, increases confidence, and improves productivity

Palazzo C

AURORA Fundamentals Training

Simulation Options

 
You will learn about the logic and simulation settings that govern Aurora simulations.
 

Palazzo F

AURORA Advanced Training

Aurora’s Energy Storage & New Technologies

 
Aurora has the capability to model energy storage resources such as batteries and pump storage. 
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Set up working examples of co-located solar plus storage, long-duration batteries, and batteries with contracted generating hours
  • Reporting options in Aurora to report and display the operation of these energy storage resources

Palazzo G

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Networking Lunch

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

PLEXOS Certification Training for beginners

Data Files & Scenario Based Modeling (Part 1)

Building upon the Base model, we layer complexity into our system by adding real world load data. We also learn how changes in the system affect pricing. Using scenario-based modelling techniques we investigate how Hydro affects system performance.

Key Takeaways: 

  • PLEXOS can work with a variety of data types and formats 
  • Scenario based modelling is used to understand how different conditions can affect system operations 

Palazzo A

PLEXOS Intermediate/Advanced Training

Long-term Capacity Expansion – Methods for Improving Performance and Results

In this session we examine the trade off between performance and precision when modeling the Long Term. In addition to this, we explore the expansion problem formulation and how to apply different reliability methods.  

Key Topics: 

  • Model Size 
  • Run Times 
  • LT and ST Comparisons 

Palazzo B

PLEXOS gas Training

Data Files, Scenario Based Modeling

 
Building upon the Base model, we layer complexity into our system by adding real world demand data. 
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Learn how changes in the system affect pricing
  • Scenario-based modeling techniques

Palazzo C

AURORA Fundamentals Training

Database Management (Part 1)

Understanding system topology and a survey of the parameters you control regarding resource characteristics and demand.

 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Learn how to manage input data tables
  • Viewing and editing data

Palazzo F

AURORA Advanced Training

What's New in Aurora 15

 
Review the new features, functionality, and performance enhancements available in Aurora 15
 
Key Takeaways include:
 
• Automation and customization of Aurora output database format options
• Aurora on PLEXOS Cloud – Managing Aurora simulations and reporting in the Cloud.
• Modeling Electrolyzes
• Improvements in Energy Storage performance and new storage options
• Long-term Capacity Expansion
• Portfolio Optimization
• Emission
• Inertia
• Custom Constraint
• CSV output database formats
• Solvers – Gurobi & Mosek

Palazzo G

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Coffee Break

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

PLEXOS Certification Training for beginners

Data Files & Scenario Based Modeling (Part 2)

Once the base model is built, we run a pricing simulation and investigate how scenarios affect the system settlement. We review the results and show how to export the findings to Excel for further analysis and reporting.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Understanding of simulation architecture. 
  • Planning Horizon and optimization step  
  • Unit commitment logic. 
  • Reporting results and exporting to Excel.

Palazzo A

PLEXOS Intermediate/Advanced Training

Transmission

Given the increasing interest in nodal modeling, this session investigates some aspects of modeling losses in PLEXOS, as well as looking at congestion and contingencies.

Key Topics: 

  • Losses 
  • Congestion 
  • Contingencies 

Palazzo B

PLEXOS gas Training

PLEXOS Gas Certification (Part 1)

 
This course will be a hands-on experience for all things gas. 
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Part one will cover fields, nodes, and demand
  • Part two: contracts, pipelines, plants, storages, and weather stations

Palazzo C

AURORA Fundamentals Training

Database Management (Part 2)

Learn how to manage input data tables.

 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Understanding system topology
  • Survey of the parameters you control regarding resource characteristics and demand.
  • Viewing and editing the data itself.

Palazzo F

AURORA Advanced Training

Modeling Hydro Using Aurora

 
Aurora offers a flexible algorithm for hourly shaping hydro generation. Hydro project energies and shaping constraints can be specified at any level of unit aggregation. This approach provides the ability to easily produce a generation pattern that is representative for all hydro resources in an area or zone or a unique unit specific pattern when needed.
 
Key Takeaways include:
  • Review the delivered setup for hydro generation in the west
  • Use the hydro tables to set up and report the performance of a new run of river hydro plant, a reservoir with storage.

Palazzo G

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Networking event

Welcome Reception

Join us for a welcome reception to kick-off Xcelerate Orlando and network with fellow attendees! Once training ends, attendees will make their way to The JW Marriott Grande Lake Porte Cochere where drinks will be served from 6.30 - 9:30pm.

Porte Cochere, JW Marriott Grande Lakes