2  Getting started

2.1 System requirements

The HyEfRe Decision Support Tool (DST) is a Windows desktop application.

  • Operating system: Windows 10 or newer (64-bit)
  • Processor (CPU): No strict requirements
  • Memory (RAM): Minimum 16 GB, 32 GB or more recommended
  • Graphics (GPU): Not required for computation

2.1.1 Network

An internet connection is required for:

  • location-based data,
  • PV production data,
  • meteorological data (e.g., precipitation).

The application can run offline, but these features will be unavailable.

2.2 Simple example

This section guides you through creating a simple project with one scenario containing:

  • A Photovoltaic (PV) system,
  • A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and
  • A fixed electricity consumption.

By following these steps, you will learn the basic workflow of the DST: creating a project, configuring components, running optimization, and viewing results.

Step 1: Launch the application

  1. Launch the HyEfRe Decision Support Tool.
  2. You will see the welcome window with options to create a new project, open an existing project, or check the user manual.
Figure 2.1: Welcome window

Step 2: Create a new project

  1. Click Create new project in the welcome window.
  2. The New Project popup window will appear.
  3. Enter a project name (e.g., My first project).
  4. Optionally, change the project location by clicking Browse… and selecting a folder.
  5. Click Create project to confirm.
Figure 2.2: Creating a new project

A new project opens in the main window.

Step 3: Create a new scenario

  1. Click Add new scenario in the sidebar (left panel).
  2. A default scenario named Scenario 1 will appear.
  3. Expand the scenario and click System structure to view the system configuration interface.
Figure 2.3: Project with one scenario

The Main window now shows the system configuration interface.

Step 4: Select components

In this example we will consider:

  • PV system,
  • BESS,
  • fixed electricity consumption.

The scenario is initialized with some components already selected. To configure our desired configuration:

  1. Deselect components that are not needed (e.g., Electrolyser, RESu if active).
  2. Ensure the following components are selected: PV, BESS, El. cons.
Figure 2.4: Selecting components for the configuration

Step 5: Configure location

The Location component defines where the energy hub is located. This affects solar irradiance data and other location-specific parameters.

  1. Expand the Location section.
  2. Search for Zagreb.
  3. Select Zagreb in Municipality dropdown.
  4. Verify that your coordintes are: 45.813, 15.977 and that country is Croatia.
Figure 2.5: Choosing location

Step 6: Configure electrical grid

The Electrical grid connection component defines electricity prices and connection conditions. Since the location is in Croatia, electricity tariff models from Croatia became available to use. To configure:

  1. Expand the Electrical grid connection section.
  2. Expand Grid connection tree node.
  3. For Use predefined connection type select SN - Bijeli - Zagreb.
  4. Check Grid connection already exists.
  5. Set Existing connection size to 270 kW.
  6. Expand Electricity supply tree node.
  7. For Use predefined supply models select HEP elektra - SN bijeli.
Figure 2.6: Configuring the Electrical grid connection

Step 7: Configure PV system

The PV component represents solar energy generation capacity. In this example, we only define the available installation area.

  1. Expand the Photovoltaic (PV) system section
  2. Click Add new array, then click Done in the pop-up window.
  3. You will see a default PV array. Configure the following:
    • Available area: Enter the area of 1000 m\(^2\)
Figure 2.7: Configuring the PV system

Step 8: Configure BESS

The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) stores excess solar energy for later use. Since the default parameters for BESS are already entered we can just skip BESS component.

Step 9: Configure electricity consumption

  1. Expand the Electricity consumption section.
  2. Click Add new consumer, then click Done in the pop-up window.
  3. Select building type:
    • Large hotel
  4. Enter:
    • Annual electricity consumption: 1000 MWh
Figure 2.8: Configuring Electricity consumption

Step 10: Financial parameters

In this example we will set subsidy to 50%:

  1. Click on Apply subsidy to all components
  2. Enter 50% in Investment subsidy field
Figure 2.9: Adding subsidy to all components

Step 11: Configure simulation parameters

The Simulation component defines the optimization timeframe and time resolution. To reduce computation time, we shorten the simulation period:

  1. Expand the Simulation section.
  2. Configure:
    • Start date: June 1st
    • End date: June 30th
Figure 2.10: Configuring simulation period

Step 12: Run optimization

Once all components are configured:

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the System structure view.
  2. Click Run Optimization to start the optimization process.
  3. A progress indicator will appear during computation.
  4. After completion, the Results node will appear in the Sidebar under the scenario.
Figure 2.11: Successful optimization

Step 13: View Results

  1. In the Sidebar, click Results under the scenario.
Figure 2.12: Showing results of the optimization

The Main window now displays the calculated optimal system configuration, its optimal operation, and financial indicators.

2.3 Next steps

You have now created a project and optimized a scenario with a simple PV + BESS system. Based on your location’s solar resources and your specified constraints, the optimization algorithm has determined:

  • Optimal system sizes
  • Operational schedule
  • Financial performance

After optimization, the original scenario becomes locked and inputs cannot be modified.

To test alternative assumptions:

  1. Right-click the scenario in the Sidebar.
  2. Select Duplicate.
  3. Modify parameters in the duplicated scenario.
  4. Run the optimization again.
  5. Compare results.
Figure 2.13: Right-clicking the scenario in the Sidebar

For example, try changing the subsidy from 50% to 0% and observe how this affects the investment decision.

For more detailed information about each component, refer to Section 4.2.