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Published in: Solar, Press Releases
Fronius PV system owners can save up to 14.7% on their electricity bills using the Energy Cost Assistant (ECA), according to an analysis carried out by the Austrian family-owned company. With the help of AI technology, the Energy Cost Assistant continuously analyses the expected yield of the PV system, energy consumption, and the feed-in and electricity tariffs. It then automatically adapts the storage strategy for the most favourable cost benefit.
AI lowers energy costs
Owners of Fronius photovoltaic systems with battery storage benefit from the fully automated optimisation of their energy flows. The Energy Cost Assistant controls the storage system with the goal of minimising costs.
“The Energy Cost Assistant is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to take advantage of variable electricity tariffs without having to manage their energy flows themselves. Once activated, the assistant automatically applies the storage strategy to cut bills,” explains Fronius product manager Kilian Schachtner.
Buy low, sell high
The Energy Cost Assistant also takes into account time-dependent feed-in tariffs to balance self-consumption against feed-in revenues. Battery charging is specifically shifted to time slots with lower feed-in prices, while feeding electricity into the grid is prioritized when rates are at their highest. In the course of the next 12 months the ECA will also be able to consider feed-in tariffs based on the electricity exchange.
The current purchase costs are already taken straight from the exchange. If the electricity price is low at night, for example, the battery is automatically charged via the grid, allowing users to benefit from low energy prices when solar energy is not available.
The assistant also limits the battery discharge when the electricity price is very low, so that the stored energy remains available for periods when costs are higher. This helps smooth out consumption peaks and avoids costly grid consumption.
Personalized settings and transparent planning
Photovoltaic system owners can customise how often the battery should be charged with electricity from the grid and whether the focus should be on maximising cost savings or prolonging the battery life.
The Fronius Solar.web monitoring platform provides even more transparency with an integrated 24-hour preview showing how the Energy Cost Assistant has planned the energy flows for the coming day. Users can easily understand what ‘decisions’ the system is taking and view the optimisation strategy at any time.
Fact box
- What is the Fronius Energy Cost Assistant?
The Fronius Energy Cost Assistant is AI-based software designed to automatically optimise photovoltaic systems with battery storage.
- Who is the Energy Cost Assistant for?
Owners of Fronius PV systems with battery storage, particularly those who have variable or dynamic electricity tariffs.
- Can AI automatically control a PV battery?
Yes. The Fronius Energy Cost Assistant automatically optimises energy flows by analysing the expected PV production and energy consumption as well as the feed-in and electricity tariffs.
Owners can also customise their energy flows at any time, even without AI assistance.
- Does the Energy Cost Assistant use up-to-date electricity prices?
Yes. The system continuously takes into account up-to-date electricity prices and feed-in tariffs, as well as forecasts for electricity generation and energy consumption.
