Here's what we've been up to lately...

Introducing PAT Trader's new ARR Tool! (April 16, 2021)

Today we're releasing PAT Trader 1.16.0 with a brand new tool!  Now you can use Shift Factor Analysis to make informed decisions in PJM's ARR Allocation.  Use it to back cast your 2021 ARR picks or study future ARR/FTR options.  Log in to our Videos Page for a full description of the new tool.  Request access to our training video library here.  

​No More FTP! Introducing a better way to share files with PAS: (February 16, 2021)

Instead of sending data to us with the old FTP, now you can use the Upload Button we added to each program.  Faster, more reliable, more secure, easier to use.  

​SPP Price Nodes in PAT Trader (February 12, 2021)

If you are using PAT Trader in SPP, you need to grab a new file, which enables us to show Shift Factors on SPP Price Nodes.  Also, we've made some tweaks to how the Constraints Tool works.  Check it out: ​

​Hourly Curtailment in the H-C Tool! (February 11, 2021)

A few weeks ago we stopped using the WTHC file in favor of the TRN file.  Thanks to this change, we were able to make the H-C Tool show hourly curtailment for a selected unit.  Enjoy!    

​Real-time Capability in Trader's Congestion Tool! (January 26, 2021)

This PAT Trader release (version 1.13.0) has a lot.  Normally we do a lot of small releases, but we kind of let things snowball and there is a lot of new stuff in this release. 

1. The Congestion Tool now has 5-minute Real-time capability.  
Now you can see 5-minute LMP over the course of a day.  Click on an interval and PAT Trader will form the network topology for that instant in time, calculate Shift Factors and LODFs, and display the constraints and outages driving congestion LMP.  

2. MISO Mapping Improvements
We are using a new MISO file and it greatly improved mapping.  The latest Help File shows which file you need and how to get it.  You'll need to save new PAT files.  We are automatically mapping at least 95% of all MISO outages and constraints. 

3. MISO Current Outages are used in the Congestion Tool. 
Since the MISO posts outage start dates for their Current Outages, we now include them in the DA and RT Congestion Tool analysis.  This makes our network models much more accurate and reduces the difference between market posted congestion LMP and congestion LMP calculated with binding constraint's shadow prices and shift factors. 

4. Run time speed and security improvements. 
We are rewriting our entire code base, switching to C# and CORE.  We noticed a substantial improvement in operating speed.  

5. Constraint LODFs for all branches, not just outages.
Thanks to a helpful suggestion, the Constraint Tool can display constraints' LODFs for all branches, not just outages.  

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Introducing Batch Mode in the APC Reporter! (January 21, 2021)

With batch mode, now you can automatically create reports by running a short script, saving you lots of time. 

1/22/21 EDIT: We put it in the PAT too!

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PJM APC Changes & Gen-weighted Analysis! (December 23, 2020)

On December 21st, PJM made changes to their APC calculation method.  We've incorporated these changes into today's APC Reporter release.  While most customers use this program as a Report Agent replacement, these changes highlight its original purpose: to be a low-cost APC calculation engine that lets you focus on analysis instead of keeping up to date with every little APC change the ISOs make. 

Also, the PAT and APC Reporter releases enable much more Gen-weighted analysis.  Now you can see Gen-weighted LMP between any point to point in the APC Reporter.  In the PAT, you can see Gen-weighted congestion analysis in the H-C tool.  Check it out:

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Introducing In-App Updates! (December 16, 2020)

Part of what makes PAS stand out is our quick response to customers.  With a constant river of suggestions on how to improve the program, we find ourselves frequently releasing new versions... sometimes a couple times a day. 

Now you can make sure you're using the latest version thanks to Kalen Morey's latest: In-app Updates!  Kalen is our newest developer and he's already showing his stuff. Check it out:

​For your information, we do MAJOR and MINOR releases:

Major Release:

• We change the second #: PAT Trader 2.12.0.0
• This is a serious bug fix or a large new feature/tool going out the door. 
• These will be RED flagged in the program's toolbar.  
• You should immediately upgrade. 

Minor Release:

• We change the third #: PAT Trader 2.12.1.0
• This is a small bug fix or marginal improvement in the program somewhere. 
• These will be YELLOW flagged in the toolbar and you can upgrade at your leisure.  

Fun Facts: We only change the first number when we have something earth shattering to release.  And the 4th number is reserved for one-off versions we send to individuals for testing. 

Moving forward, we're going to start publishing version history on our website so you can keep track of the changes.  ​

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PAT 2.14 Release: Introducing the Congestion Report! (December 9, 2020)

Now there is a place where you can pick a binding constraint and see all relevant information... LMP, Generation, Outage, Load Zone statistics.  You name it.  Check it out: 
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The PJM Method is finally in the APC Reporter! (November 13, 2020)

Just in time for PJM's December model release, we've added the PJM method to APC Reporter.  Now you can choose the PJM, SPP, or MISO method when calculating APC.  

Existing customers will get the PJM-enabled version at no extra charge.  Registered users can expect a download link from Info@PowerAnalyticsSoftware.com.  

Remember... while APC Reporter calculates APC, most customers use it as a replacement for Report Agent.  You can compare multiple PROMOD solutions (like a base case and a new-unit case), see hybrid unit reporting, and calculate renewable basis.  Check out the demo video on our Products Page to learn more. 

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​Big changes in PAT Trader! (October 15, 2020)

We're releasing a new version of PAT Trader today and there are some HUGE changes.  
1. The Congestion Tool was completely overhauled. 
2. Automatic Hourly Topology:  When you click on an hour in the FTR Tool or the Congestion Tool, we form the network model for that hour, recalculate Shift Factors & LODFs, and display the hour-specific topology results... it only takes a second or two! 
3. The FTR Tool works in MISO, SPP, and PJM.
4. The FTR Tool has a new PATH Tool that will help you find your competitions' most lucrative paths for constraints you want to play in the next auction. 

Also, we've upgraded our release software, so you don't have to uninstall previous versions before you install the latest.  Told you we'd get that done.  

Here is a video showing the new Congestion Tool.  Now its a one-stop-shop for investigating Curtailment & LMP.  Pick a unit and see hourly LMP.  Pick an hour and see which binding constraints were driving LMP.  Pick a constraint and see which outages were causing the constraint to bind.  This is a huge leap forward for the program... really ties everything together in one spot. I hope you'll find it useful!

 

​ps. Check out our new PAT Trader Demo Video on the Products Page. 
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Ever wonder why it's called "PAT Trader"? (October 14, 2020)

Here is a quick history of PAS and PAT Trader which we put together for the S&P Platts Nodal Trader Conference.  Additionally, the video covers how PAT Trader handles data and who it will be most useful for.  Enjoy!

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Do you have access to our Training Videos? (October 13, 2020)

Ever notice the Videos tab on this site?  It's where we're keeping a growing library of training videos.  You need a password to sign in and access the content.  Send us an email or give us a message and we'll get you registered.  Here is one of the latest videos describing how Shift Factors and LODFs are Network Dependent.  

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​We're actively working to include PJM's APC calculation method! (October 5, 2020)

Sure the APC Reporter is great for reporting & comparing PROMOD solutions, but its original purpose has always been calculating APC.  For years, it worked in the MISO and SPP, but not PJM.  Well... with PJM anticipating a mid-December model release and their 4-month window opening in January... we're finally getting around to adding it.  We expect to have the PJM method ready for release by December 1st. 

You should use our product instead of wasting time trying to calculate APC yourselves.  Our program is faster than anything you can come up with, we maintain ISO-blessing, you can use it to compare multiple PROMOD cases, and you'll never have to use Report Agent again!  Reach out today for your free 30-day trial.  

​​Steve Burchett to speak at 2020 S&P Platts Nodal Trader Conference! (October 2, 2020)

Set your calendar for 11:45am on Thursday, October 22, 2020 because you don't want to miss this.  Steve will be giving a live Case Study presentation: Performing Nodal Market Analysis with Shift Factors and LODFs.  Topics to inclue:
 - Forming nodal topologies using mapped market data
 - Shift Factor & LODF analysis is the BEST analysis
 - Which transmission outages are driving congestion?
 - How will future planned outages impact LMP?
 - FTR Analysis: Identifying lucrative paths & constraints 

Register here to watch Steve's live session. 

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PAS Software Distribution System now more Cyber-secure! (October 1, 2020)

In an effort to boost cyber-security and make it easier for you to get the latest versions of our products, we've integrated them with Microsoft Azure's Active Directory and Digicert.  Additionally, this new software distribution method will help us deliver on your feature requests even faster.  

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​APC Version 1.13 Released with a new Hybrid Unit Summary! (August 17, 2020)

Now you can use the APC Reporter to see how your Hybrid Units performed in the latest PROMOD run!  Check it out:

​Pro Tip: Use the PAT to generate an ISO Report! (August 17, 2020)

It's that time of year:  Model Review Season is open for the MISO.  You know... where they ask Stakeholders to provide model feedback on generators, powerflow mapping, and events... did you know that the PAT has a tool for that? 

PAT version 2.12.7 is on the FTP for you, which includes the ISO Report's new monthly view. 

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​New PAT and APC Reporter Versions Released! (July 17, 2020)

Today we are releasing PAT 2.12.0 and APC Reporter 1.12.0 with a lot of small, boring changes.  

PAT 2.12.0

• Zip Capability.  Hold on to your hat...  this is the big one!  Now there is a way to quickly share PAT data.  Check it out on the Help File's new page: Miscellaneous: Zip PAT Data Files. (Thanks Neil!)
• There are 7 changes suggested by Kevin.  
  • Read a RAW File directly from the File Menu.
  • Append newly created events to existing ones in an import template.
  • Add a comment to event names in the output tab.
  • Uncheck all events on the Event Diagnostics Tab.  Useful for making EVE files for just a handful of new events. 
  • And 3 bug fixes.  If you didn't find them, we aren't going to tell you about them. 
  • Keep it coming Kevin!  Employee of the month!
• There are 2 changes due to PAT users really pushing the limits:
  • The PAT can read outages files with 8(!) forced outage draws!  (Thanks KD!)
  • The PAT can read 6-year PROMOD runs!  (Thanks Brant!)
    • Yeah... you read that right.  A 6-year PROMOD run.  
• Finally many thanks to Sunil and his team for helping us beat up the Bus Injection Tool on the Contingency Evaluator.  That thing is running like a top now.  

APC 1.12.0

• Actually this is a pretty good upgrade here. 
• First, many thanks to Intern Andrei for polishing up the general look and appearance.  The graphs have labels!  Bar graphs labels are centered!  It's almost like we have a professional program now! Look for similar changes coming to our other programs coming soon!
• 2 brand new tabs!  Thanks the very handsome and capable Jason for helping us add:
  • Renewable Unit Summary Tab
    • The big time saver in the program, in a new package.  Here is where you can do basis calculations and do days of work in minutes.  So much time saved that Jason didn't want to tell his boss about it! 
  • Thermal Unit Summary Tab
    • This is your one-stop-shop for thermal units showing how they performed in the run.  We tried to copy as much as we could from the renewable tab, but it doesn't have the same magic without basis calculation. 
• Aside from this, Jason found no fewer than 7 bugs.  Mostly new and exciting ways of crashing the program.  Nothing to see here folks. 

You guys were probably expecting another slick video weren't you?  Well too bad.  I'm stuck in Virginia for 2 weeks and putting together a video with all these screaming children running around is just not going to happen.  

 

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​PAT Trader Version 1.9.0 Released! (July 8, 2020)

Introducing the Generator Dashboard, our latest addition to PAT Trader.  No less than 4 of you independently suggested we create this tool, so we think it will be very popular.  Here's how it works: 

• Read in a list of generators you care about and pick one. 
• Identify outages that are important to your generator
• See which constraints will be most impacted by these outages. 
• See the impact of these outages on the constraints closest to your generator. 

Check out the 3-part video below: 

1. Demo
2. Intro to Shift Factors and LODFs 
3. Translating Gen Dash output into actionable intelligence

​What is causing my unit to curtail!? (June 29, 2020)

Do you have a renewable unit that is getting curtailed?  Do you want to know exactly which constraints and outages are behind it?  This video shows you how to use PAT Trader to do exactly that.  Enjoy!

 

​PAT Trader Version 1.8.0 Released! (June 25, 2020)

I know... I know... we just released PAT Trader 1.7.0 only 10 days ago.  But PAS moves fast and we have a brand new tool we wanted to get in your hands.  

Introducing the Look Ahead Tool.  See a week's worth of planned outages.  For each hour, see which constraints are going to be hit the hardest by these outages.  For each constraint, see which buses will experience the largest change in price if that constraint binds.  

This brand new tool was suggested by one of our best traders.  We hope you find it useful too.  Let us know how we can improve it!

 

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​PAT Trader vs. the PAT​(June 19, 2020)

We've been getting a lot of interest in PAT Trader recently and wanted to answer a frequently asked question: How does PAT Trader relate to the PAT?  Here is our video response: 

Fun Fact: Anyone who tells me I need a haircut will have their price jacked next year!

 

​PAT Trader Version 1.7.0 Released! (June 15, 2020)

​Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, traders and planners of all ages!  Introducing the latest PAT Trader version with no less than 3 major updates!  Drum roll please!

#1: Both the Transmission Outage Tool and the Constraint Tool use LODFs.  
 - See which constraints a given outage will impact the most. 
 - See which outages impact a given constraint the most. 
 - See which buses will have the greatest change in price if a constraint binds. 

#2: The Current Tool is up and running.
 - See which constraints are binding in the markets RIGHT NOW. 
 - See what these constraints do to prices at a bus.
 - See which current outages may be causing these constraints to bind. 

#3: The PAT Trader works in SPP. 
 - The list now includes the MISO, PJM, and SPP. 
 - ERCOT is coming soon!

We still have a few loose ends to tie up functionality-wise.  Here is a chart of the current capabilities.  We plan to eliminate the red X's soon. 

Watch Steve, in a particularly awesome shirt, walk through the changes in PAT Trader 1.7.0.0 in the video below: 

​PAT Trader Version 1.6.3 Released! (June 4, 2020)
We made some big changes in the PAT Trader.  We now calculate LODFs for all outages and constraints.  This improved the Constraints Tool so much, it made the Outage Effects Tool obsolete.  So we ditched it.  

This new capability gives Energy Traders a huge advantage in the market.   And it's mouse-click-quick.  Learn all about it in the video below. ​

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​PAT Trader Demo Video Released! (June 3, 2020)
Check out the new PAT Trader video on our Products Page. 

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​PAT Version 2.11 Released! (May 27, 2020)
This latest release correctly handles BTM DER in the latest version of PROMOD.  Check out the video below:

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​New PAT and PAT Trader Versions Released! (April 23, 2020)
So far, the Corona Virus has not penetrated our secret compound in sunny south Florida.  Rob & Steve have been sequestered together for the purpose of staying healthy and cranking out lots of new features suggested by our development staff (that would be you, Dear Reader).

We’re excited to post new versions of the PAT and PAT Trader.  Here’s a summary of the updates:

 
Power Analytics Transmission (PAT) Tool, Version 2.10

Event Tool:

• Write Event Files for Date Sensitive Limits (Thanks Sunil!)
  • Want to use date-sensitive limits in the Event file?  We have a new feature to make the painful manual process much easier. 
  • Start with a non-dated EVE file and give the PAT a CSV file with the dated limit info. 
  • Then the PAT will construct a properly formatted EVE file with the dated records. 
  • Check out our updated Help File for more detail.
• Easily Find and Add Branches to Events (Thanks Kevin!)
  • Do you create one-off events frequently?  Sick of dragging branches from the Power Flow Tool to the mon and con section?  We created a Branch Finder right on the Event Tool to make your life easier.
  • After you create a new event, a popup will appear where you can hunt for and add branches as a mon or con. 
• Search Events by Mon or Con (Thanks Kevin!)
  • Now you can search events on the front page by strings included in the mon or con, separately.

Contingency Evaluator Tool:

• Quick & Dirty Bus Injection (Thanks Neil!)
  • Want to find investigate congestion effects on new gen project and do it fast? 
  • Now you can inject fixed MW at your bus and find contingencies for your selected hours. 
  • This is a quick-and-dirty version of the more elaborate Bus Injection Tab.  If you wish to find the best site for a new project, don’t forget the Unit Siting Tool.
• What’s in the Cloud? (Thanks Ryan and Karthik!)
  • The mystery is no more.  Now you can see the branches in the cloud used for determining monitored elements on the press of a button.
• On the Bus Injection Tab, the CSV report now identifies which contingencies cause the reported multi-hour overloads. (Thanks Sunil!)
• You can now save a local copy of the contingency options in a separate XML file.

Power Flow Tool:

• Branches that have date-sensitive parameters (limits, impedance) will display with a blue font for easy identification.  (We know, trivial, but helpful)
• Don’t forget that you can now read in hub/zone definitions for import to PROMOD. (Thanks Daniel!)

Unit Siting Tool:

• Temporary PAT-created constraints built by the tool are now visible at the press of a button. (Thanks Ryan and Karthik!)

LODF Tool:

• Now you can compute Line Outage Participation Factors (LOPF). Same formula as LODF, except the denominator is the outaged branch’s Rate B instead of the pre-outage MW flow.  (Thanks Frank!)

ISO Report:
The PAT can now produce the ISO-required report documenting:

• Ownership, capacity, heat rate, run time parameters, etc. for all thermal units
• Ownership, capacity, curtailment penalties, etc. for all renewable units
• Ownership and location of all mapped loads
• All constraints that lie in the selected areas of interest (Thanks Craig!)

Check out the Help File for instructions.

General Modeling:

• Distributed Energy Resources:
  • We incorporated Promod’s new Behind-the-Meter generation model in the PAT. We are verifying the new model’s behavior and working with ABB to refine both the Promod and the PAT implementation.  We’ll keep you posted when we think the model and the corresponding reporting is fully operational.
• Pss/E:
  • The PAT can now read the new version 35 raw file.
• Area Names:
  • The former PromodAreaNames.csv file is now named LongAreaNames.csv for clarity.  Use this file to get the long area names, which are not in the PFF, into your branch and bus templates for Promod.  Remember, the file can now be put in the executable path for general use by everyone.  See the Help File under Miscellaneous, Special Promod Files.

 


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New PAT Trader Version

Most of you PAT users are not familiar with PAT Trader, but you should be.  Our clients that use both can identify constraints that bind in the actual market, but don’t show up in the PAT or Promod.  This gives them an edge when comparing results with their competition. 

PAT Trader is completely independent from Promod.  It runs from ISO-provided data, some of which require CEII permissions from the ISO.  Read: You need CEII access to use this program.  We can walk you through the process if you don’t have it already.  We developed this tool primarily for energy and FTR traders, but to our surprise, the tool is proving very useful for Promod studies.

Here are some of the basic functions:

• The power flow model is the FTR/CRR pss/E raw file.  Currently, the program works with PJM and MISO data. We are actively working on SPP and ERCOT.
• The program downloads several years’ worth of market constraints (day-ahead and real-time) from the market.  All constraints are automatically mapped to the model buses and branches.  An easy-to-use mapping tool helps you manually map any that can’t be automatically mapped.
• PAT Trader downloads and maps all current forced and future planned transmission outages to the FTR network.  Now you can pick a day and the program will adjust network topology to reflect the market conditions for that period.
• The program computes shift factors for all constraints (really, really fast) and predicts any LMP price swings caused by planned outages.  It’s easy to identify which particular outage would cause a market constraint to possibly bind.  The Return-to-Service Date lets the user know the duration of the outage effect.

How is it useful to Promod Modelers?

• Congestion Tool:
  • Plot the historic basis for a proposed project and identify the market constraints that have had the greatest positive and negative impact on the basis. 
• Current Constraints:
  • Download the constraints active in the market right now and compute shift factors for all buses. 
  • Use this to determine the effect of a constraint on your gen project’s congestion LMP.
  • Find current transmission outages that impact the constraints active in real-time. 
• Outage Effects:
  • Highlight future planned transmission outages that effect your proposed project’s basis.
  • Identify nearby unplanned outages that would crush the basis, using real market constraints.

The cool part is that PAT Trader works from actual market data, not a simulation of what you think the market might look like.  


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