AURORAxmp® from EPIS, Inc. is the industry’s most trusted software package for reliable electric market price forecasting, resource valuation and market risk analysis. AURORAxmp is a power market simulation tool designed to forecast power prices over both the short and long term.
Http://www.epis.com
2. “We relentlessly seek to understand
the needs of both the analyst and
manager involved in power market
forecasting and analysis. We listen
carefully to the goals of our prospects and
customers, then go to work developing solutions
that will help them meet those goals.”
Ben Thompson, President
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You Can’t Always Control the Future of
Power Markets, but Now . . . You Can Always
be Prepared for It
AURORAxmp®
from EPIS, Inc. is the industry’s most trusted software package
for reliable electric market price forecasting, resource valuation and market-
risk analysis. AURORAxmp is a power market simulation tool designed to
forecast power prices over both the short and long term. At the core of
the product is an extremely fast, hourly-dispatch engine that simulates
the dispatch of power plants in a chronological, multi-zone, transmission-
constrained system. The software includes our meticulously maintained and
continually updated, calibrated and tested database, so the data you need
is already formatted, ready to use, and accurate. The database can also be
easily supplemented with the user’s own data, or with external data sources.
AURORAxmp is a Model Unlike Any Other
Available in the Market
AURORAxmp enables the highest level of software integration, model control
and easy data exchange to save users time and money. That’s why it’s the
modeling tool of choice for leading power marketers, resource planners,
regulatory agencies, financial analysts and energy consultants throughout
North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
4. Why AURORAxmp?
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One Product. One Focus. One Result.
Best in the World
Since its inception in 1996, EPIS, Inc. has been laser focused on one thing
and one thing only-- building and supporting AURORAxmp, the best electric
power market simulation, forecasting and analytic tool in the world. Instead
of investing our resources in new companies, markets, and product
lines, we put 100% of our efforts into aggressive R&D, stringent quality
management, and world-class customer service for customers located in
every geographic area. That’s why AURORAxmp continues to raise the bar
for accuracy, speed, and ease of use. That’s why our loyal customer base
won’t settle for anything less.
The World Standard for Electric Power
Market Forecasting and Analytics
AURORAxmp is the most comprehensive, reliable electric power market
forecasting tool of its kind. In a single product, AURORAxmp delivers:
the capability to produce electric market price forecasts, value analysis,
uncertainty analysis, and automated system optimization. It has become
a world standard for speed, transparency, and ease of use.
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More Functionality and Power than Any Other Product!
• Complete risk and uncertainty analysis
• Fuel price, hydro and load volatility
• Quantify volumetric and market risk
• Sensitivity analyses
• Hedging strategies analyses
• Random or Latin Hypercube treatment
of price drivers
• Flexible definition of stochastic variables
• Full Monte Carlo or convergent
resource outage methods
• Day-ahead, monthly and long-term
price forecasts
• Fully integrated Nodal/LMP analysis
• Prices by bus, market areas, zones or
hubs
• Advanced hourly commitment and
dispatch logic
• Exceptional speed: outperforms other
models
• Customizable data views, reports,
and charts
• Robust scenario management
• Advanced project scheduler and
automation capabilities
• Full access to all inputs and outputs
• OPF/SCOPF dispatch
• N-x contingencies
• Dynamic loss calculations
• LMP, including FTR/congestion, analysis
• Optimized controllable elements
• Fully configured nodal data (East, West,
ERCOT)
• Enhanced GIS display
• Capacity additions, retrofits, and
retirements
• Lifecycle analysis
• Optional build to reserve margin logic
• Unlimited definition of supply
alternatives
• Convenient specification of constraints
on rate of builds/retirements
• Emission cap-and-trade modeling
• Energy constraints
• Daily and hourly fuel constraints
• Portfolio optimization (efficient frontier)
• RPS targets
• Resource and portfolio valuation
• Net power costing and fuel budgeting
• Full heat rate and bid segment
definition
• Market exposure
• Flexibility in analyzing complex
contracts and portfolio options
• User-specification of resources
and contract types
Resource Valuation
and Net Power Costs
Price Forecasting
Risk and
Uncertainty Analysis Long-Term Capacity
Expansion Modeling LP Dispatch Optimization
with Constraints
Fully Integrated Nodal
Capability and Data Additional Features and
Time-Saving Tools
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“The key attribute that caused us to
use AURORAxmp is its speed. We do
a lot of Monte Carlo and uncertainty
analysis, and AURORAxmp does a real
good job with Monte Carlo simulations
because it is so fast. Its speed just
dwarfs other models that we’ve used.”
Larry Vielhaber, Ph.D.,
Director of Price Forecasting
Sowood Capital Management
Fast, Transparent, and Easy to Use
AURORAxmp’s cutting edge algorithms give its dispatch engine exceptional
speed, while state-of-the-art software design provides parallelization
options and advanced automation capabilities, so you can take advantage
of computing resources without human intervention. Unlike other models,
AURORAxmp gives you easy access to interim results, including: all of the
detail on resource operation, which resources are marginal, flows between
zones, and reserve margins. This makes it simple to back-out the prices
computed by the model. AURORAxmp exposes virtually all data structures
so programmers can access and control the inner workings of the model if
they desire more sophistication.
AURORAxmp includes a tremendous amount of diagnostics that report details
of each model action taken, as well as the impacts of your data assumptions,
to quickly and clearly show how they impacted results. Finally, AURORAxmp’s
intuitive user interface continues to dazzle those experienced with other
models. New users rave about its user interface, how fast they can produce
results, and how easy it is to import/export large amounts of data to and from
the model. No other modeling tool in its class can offer this level of speed,
transparency, and ease of use.
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“My team’s passion for
being the authority on
energy market intelligence
results in enhanced client
confidence and consistent
productivity.”
Donnavan Leavitt,
Assistant Vice President,
Market Intelligence
Unrivaled Long-Term Asset Valuation
AURORAxmp has no equal for long-term asset valuation. The model is
‘economically coherent’, fully utilizing the hourly chronological commitment/
dispatch logic in that long-term algorithm. No other modeling package in the
market offers this feature. Other approaches take two models or more, or
make major simplifying assumptions (load duration curves, etc.), and their
data formats are often inconsistent.
Model Impact of Renewables and Gain
Market-Level and Company-Level Insight
AURORAxmp is the ideal tool to assess the impact of new and existing
wind, solar, and other intermittent generation sources. The model’s
dynamic dispatch logic captures and reveals the resulting changes in
dispatch, imports/exports, reserve levels, and ultimately, prices. In addition,
AURORAxmp’s long-term capacity expansion logic accommodates intermittent
resources and includes many features that enable convenient future-build-out
scenario testing and comparison.
Comprehensive, Ready-to-Run Database
Saves You Time and Effort
AURORAxmp includes one of the most comprehensive and meticulously-
researched databases available. Expressly created for the purpose of
modeling power markets, both the North American and European databases
come ready-to-run and are updated each year. Our team of analysts scours
national, regional, and local sources for relevant detail on all major drivers
affecting dispatch and market prices such as:
• Generating Unit Detail (including
renewables)
• Fuel Price Forecasts
• Area, Zone and Pool Demand
• Hydro Energy and Constraints
• Emissions Rates, Limits and Prices
• Spinning & Operating Reserves
• Area and Zonal Transmission
• Flexible System Definition
• Online Data Documentation
In addition to updates with the latest fundamental data, EPIS invests
significant resources into testing and calibrating each data set before it is
released. This includes comparing model results with regional supply and
demand, production data by fuel type, flows across major interfaces, and
on-peak and off-peak prices at key pricing hubs for a recent historical time
period. Licensees receive all data updates during the year, which includes
25-year-ahead price forecasts for over 100 unique zones/hubs in North
America or for 42 unique countries in Europe.
Pre-formatted and ready
to use, the AURORAxmp
Database is both
comprehensive and
transparent
8. AURORAxmp Tracks Your Scenarios and
Adapts to Your Environment
AURORAxmp makes it easy to manage and apply layered data changes
and intuitively navigate through data change sets. There are no limits on
granularity of data due to the power and flexibility of generalized time-series
resolution down to the hourly level for virtually any variable in the model.
Multiple input formats are available through SQL, XML, MS Access, and links
to MS Excel worksheets. Multiple output database formats are also available
to meet a variety of computing and network environments – SQL Server,
MySQL, XMP SQL, Zipped XML, and straight XML. With AURORAxmp you’ll be
able to quickly and effectively use proprietary assumptions to create a robust
set of scenarios and results for decision makers.
Fully Configured Nodal Data
AURORAxmp’s nodal capability comes fully configured to complete the
highest level of nodal analysis for the ERCOT, CAISO, and PJM/MISO markets.
The entire zonal database is utilized to inform the nodal model using an
extensive set of mapping files. North American generation is fully mapped to
the ISO-delivered power flow cases, creating a comprehensive picture of the
power system. Also included are complete sets of defined hubs, significant
corridors and contingencies. Our analysts have even aligned ISO-delivered
data sources, like regional demand, to match the nodal topology. With the
touch of a key, users can make market decisions…or custom fit data for more
in-depth analysis.
A nodal commitment method makes use of generator shadow prices to inform
the hourly commitment decisions. This linear program (LP) approach provides
the benefits of a security-constrained unit-commitment (SCUC) without the
corresponding penalty to run time. Extensive testing shows improved commit
patterns in the presence of congestion, lower overall system production costs,
and faster run times.
Easy Integration and Automation of
Forecasting Workflow Processes
AURORAxmp is easily integrated into existing workflow processes. Capabilities
such as linking with Excel or other databases, scripting (to automate or have
greater model control) and computational data sets (CDS to automate pre-
or post-processes), enable easy integration with any process. This includes
existing fuel and demand forecasting tools like Web-based data sources and
other subscription services. Automating forecasting workflow processes saves
time and makes forecasting tasks more efficient.
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AURORAxmp offers a flexible, intuitive
user interface and graphical displays that
accelerate your understanding of nodal
assumptions and their impact on results
9. “EPIS software developers
thrive on fulfilling customer
requests, anticipating
market and technology
trends, and providing our
customer base with cutting-
edge capabilities long
before others have even
thought about them.”
John Scott
Vice President, Development
Continual Infusion of New Technology
Keeps Us Out in Front of the Pack
At EPIS, Inc we believe the future is now. That’s why AURORAxmp is always
ahead of the competition in embracing the latest technologies to improve
speed, ease of use, and enhanced functionality. We were an early adopter
of intuitive user interfaces for managing data and projects, 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems to remove memory and IT constraints, and support for
SQL-based databases. We currently employ several new technologies to
enable massive increases in modeling productivity, including Microsoft’s .NET
framework 4.0 parallelization libraries, to take full advantage of threading
on multi-CPU-core platforms, and built-in automation and customization.
AURORAxmp also makes use of best-in-class third-party components such
as advanced performance optimization software – all at no additional cost
to our customers.
Increased Productivity and Ease in
Managing Multiple Projects
AURORAxmp’s Project Scheduler provides multiple, concurrent project runs
in a single interface. Additionally, multiple scheduled projects can run in the
background across multiple servers. The versatile user interface provides
the ability to conveniently monitor the status of projects as they are running,
access completed projects, and view projects awaiting execution.
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10. Powerful and Efficient User Interface Combined
with Presentation-Grade Graphics
AURORAxmp is designed for professionals that demand natural and intuitive
layout and function as well as presentation-grade graphics. Tabbed tables
and forms can be dragged outside the main AURORAxmp frame and placed
anywhere on multiple available monitors, maximizing the use of available
screen real estate. AURORAxmp lets you make SQL queries that provide
easy and fast interrogation of huge output data sets. Built-in pivot tables,
customized reporting through computational data sets, and customizable
input table views are all tied together seamlessly by both user-customized
and EPIS standard industry templates. This gives you added capability to
produce quality studies illustrated with solid graphics and analyses.
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11. “Everyone on our team
is keenly aware that we
build enduring business
relationships only by
consistently delivering
superb support and
training.”
Deborah Austin-Smith
Director, Customer Support
“EPIS, Inc. has by far the
best customer service group
in the industry. They truly
listen to the needs of their
customers.”
Bill Carr
Senior Director,
Transmission Analysis
Dynegy
“I have used many
specialized software
packages in my career
from various companies,
but EPIS provides the
best customer support I
have ever received from a
software company.”
Michael Kim, CFA
Long-Term Fundamentals
Iberdrola Renewables
For More Information
For more information or a free demonstration of AURORAxmp
for qualified prospects, call 1-208-255-3999, email info@epis.com,
or visit our website at www.epis.com.
Dedication, Commitment, and Superb
Customer Support
When you purchase AURORAxmp, you’re not simply purchasing a software
package, you’re buying our entire team’s unwavering commitment to making
you successful. Our customer support team is available day or night to help
you get the most out of AURORAxmp and guide you in creating accurate
models and forecasts that your company can depend on to make intelligent
decisions. Ask our customers. There is no more customer-dedicated software
team in the world… not in energy, not in any vertical market. Even our
development efforts are customer driven, with the majority of our product
roadmap generated by our user groups and customer feedback.
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