The need for power systems analysis focuses on the design, specifications and impact of the system, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a more economical operation and an efficient energy management application.
Two factors realized by the power systems analysis are reduced installation costs and increased savings brought about by ensuring adherence to utility rates. An adequate system of management will be user-friendly and include state-of-the art applications to reduce losses and increase profits. All personnel, including operators, engineers and dispatchers, will have access to the system. The software that allows energy management will continuously be monitoring the process and production of energy.
Reliable data is collected so it can be evaluated. This includes both normal and abnormal operating times. All employees working within the power systems analysis must be involved so they can consider and contribute ideas for future improvements. Possible problems can be anticipated by scanning of the many different processes that take place in power generation. By being well prepared or knowledgeable on potential issues, the company will be in a better position to prevent problems or react quicker in restoring electrical services after major system damage from loss of transmission or from natural disasters such as wind or ice storms, flood or earthquake. By anticipating potential issues, cost savings can be realized as it is less expensive to prevent an issue than to repair the damage caused by a faulty or aged part.
Many factors affect the operation of a power plant and power systems analysis helps to predict future problems. In years where there has been low water, or if high demand periods are experienced, the amount of energy could be unusually low or high. If the analysis shows frequent shortages, new generating facilities may have to be considered to alleviate this issue. It is ideal if many years of data can be analyzed to get a complete historic picture of the lows and highs of the region in which power is being supplied. Month-by-month and year-by-year figures are helpful when it is possible to obtain the data. Power systems analysis can also be used to track storage capacity of water-generated power systems. Hydro-powered plants are different from coal or natural gas driven operations, but they all require regular monitoring and analyzing practices.
Power systems analysis provides the opportunity to evaluate the net economic effects based on market price and system production costs. If plants are regularly operating with little or no profit they may have to be considered for retirement. The public will only tolerate high power prices to a point. It is important to keep the operation profitable as it is crucial to its success and continued existence. With natural gas, coal and oil prices rising, using an alternative system of operating the plant may not be feasible either. The predictability of rising transmission costs need to be considered as well. There is no doubt that careful monitoring, reporting, inspection of data, and efficient operations are key factors in analyzing the performance of power systems.
