Why Automated Reporting is Crucial for Optimizing Distributed Generation Performance

In the age of data, many energy managers still struggle with efficiency optimization in their fields. Downtime, waste, and guesswork are still common, and ultimately compromise the site’s performance and profitability. Below, we look at why data interpretation remains a challenge, how a better platform can fix it, and which tools distributed generation (DG) operators and engineers can use to harness automated data to improve quotas.

The Ongoing Problem: Data Silos in Energy Sectors

Data logging and reporting have become critical investments in sustainable energy. However, despite the clear incentives of competition on the open market, there are simply too many cooks in the kitchen.

If you’re used to dealing with restricted access or new obstacles to everyday data collection and sharing, you’re certainly not alone. With every new update or device upgrade, the end result often involves endless troubleshooting.

The good news is that there are tools out there that can integrate with minimal interruption as long as you know where to look. With the right platform, you can automate reporting based on accurate data collection across systems.

Why Real-Time Automated Reporting Is the Answer

Today’s third-party platforms bring data together, regardless of format, so it’s easier to draw better conclusions from each data set and identify the larger forces at play for each operation. Below, we’ll look at how advanced technology helps engineers and energy managers solve some of the biggest on-site problems and how these solutions can transform your bottom line.

Human-Machine Interface (HMI)

The best platforms make it easy to interact with its data and processes. SCADA systems can handle even the largest industrial facilities in the world, collecting data from an array of devices and then communicating those findings with the right endpoints.

SCADA's automated reporting operates on a much bigger scale. The scope of these results combined with the human interface capabilities can help operators feel more confident and prepared on the job.

Centralized Management

Centralized management consolidates, combines, and analyzes data in real-time across renewable energy systems, and shows it all on one convenient interface. Centralized management helps decision-makers in every energy sector, including industrial, residential, and commercial.

Technology also makes it possible to manage systems from wherever you are. So, if an emergency occurs, it's easier for the right person to step in — whether on the web or an app. Customizable analytics makes it easier to maximize operational efficiency for multiple sites. This is especially important if you're planning to expand into new markets or territories.

Real Installed Potential

When every site has its own quirks and specifications, it’s important to have a realistic gauge of a plant’s potential based on its current operations. By implementing automated reporting, you can more accurately predict the true benchmark performance of any given device.

Predictive models and advanced analytics don't just make your data more reliable, they can make it easier to predict what's next. Whether scheduling maintenance or adjusting the output expectations, managers can interpret the forces behind the equipment’s patterns so they know when it’s safe to move forward and when it makes sense to play it safe.

AI Energy Generation Forecast

AI has promised to improve efficiency and decrease busy work in every industry, though the applications in the energy sector have been uneven at best. If you're considering automated reporting, look for well-rounded programs that learn from the plant's patterns.

For instance, AI can be integrated into energy generation forecasts, so plant operators can see how the upcoming weather will impact energy generation. As AI progresses, it's important to choose a company with flexible technology, so you can upgrade your systems without having major disruptions.

Customizable Reports

Every plant has its own metrics and goals, and within the plant, every project will have its own flavor. For example, a grid integration project will have different parameters than the addition of a new wind farm.

Customizable reports help decision-makers tailor their automated reporting to fit the needs of different stakeholders. If you’re often trying to justify your decisions, such as hiring new workers or adjusting budget allocations, these reports make it possible to cross-reference different data sets.

So, whether you’re talking to the CFO or the CEO, you can be prepared with numbers that prove your points. Depending on the size and scope of the operation, though, you might be surprised at just how many reports you'll have to run to help colleagues and superiors understand the realities of the situation.

As you search for the right platform, consider that unlimited reporting options can help you organize data without compromising its accuracy. Plus, it can help keep key stakeholders in the loop.

Fault Identification and Prediction Alerts

While no one can discount the importance of data, it’s often just as likely to lead people astray as it is to rescue the situation. (Consider how often you might ignore alarms by assuming that they were set off by a faulty sensor or a sensitive configuration.)

Precision technology can help you better identify and tease out anomalies. This way, it’s possible for your team to step in before the problem has the chance to drastically impact the operation. For example, if a turbine has a loose bearing, real-time automated reporting can instantly flag the increased vibration patterns for immediate resolution.

Better Operational Suggestions

Extracting every ounce of value from your operations is not nearly as straightforward as it may seem. It doesn't help that the energy sector is constantly changing thanks to the weather, changing consumer habits, and new companies joining the sector.

When you don't always know what to expect, better analytics and reporting can help you plan for what's ahead. Today’s third-party tools can comb through data points that point to operational inefficiencies or failures. This is critical when you consider how small shifts impact a site. For example, when even a small change in irradiance can reduce the energy production of a PV system, it’s important to track each KPI so your bases are covered. The right tools provide industry-specific insights that factor in your KPIs.

Data Protection in the Cloud

Data theft is rampant today, making it indispensable to invest in a quality security system. The IoT has made data an exceptionally valuable commodity, particularly when even a seemingly inconsequential device can interact with the most central endpoints in the operation. A single shut down or successful hack can instantly unravel the organization’s finances and reputation alike.

All data collected should be securely stored in the cloud, so it’s safe from cyberthreats and accidental leaks. Plus, there should be historical storage, so you can access past data whenever you need it. Data security should be more than a priority for energy distributors, it should be a central tenet of the business.

Reduced Operations and Maintenance Lead Time

Assisted operations will ultimately button up your team’s schedules. They’ll respond to fewer emergency calls and deal with fewer repetitive tasks or workarounds. The more time you can free up, the more they can focus on how to scale your operations as the demand for energy efficiency continues to skyrocket.

Reliable, Real-Time Data

Incomplete data or inaccurate data can be more destructive than no data at all. If you’re going to invest in custom reports for different stakeholders, there’s little room for error. With the right platform, you can get all your facts straight with more reliable data.

Nearby Support

Incredible technology is nothing without an expert team to back it up. When you choose us, there are far fewer obstacles between your team and real-time support. So, if you have questions about how to analyze your current assets or how to make more strategic long-term decisions, we help you find a clearer path forward.

Automated reporting for distributed generation performance can solve multiple problems at once. The innovation of today's technology has helped multiple operators take their sites to the next level. If you've struggled with data collection or accuracy, it can help you get the readings you need, so your calculations can be as precise as they are complete.

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