Wattix compared to Tibo Energy
What are the main differences between Wattix and Tibo Energy in terms of functionality, speed, and applicability?
About Tibo Energy
Tibo Energy was founded in 2022 and is based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Tibo provides Energy Management Software (EMS) for complex commercial and industrial sites. In addition, they offer simulation software to validate energy systems upfront, before deploying them in practice with their EMS.
What are the differences between Wattix and Tibo Energy
The table below highlights the main differences between Wattix and Tibo Energy. The rest of the article goes into further detail.
| Wattix | Tibo Energy Simulations | |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | All business categories | Complex commercial and industrial sites |
| EMS compatibility | Brand-independent | Tibo EMS |
| Underlying technology | Mathematical optimisation | AI-based |
| Battery sizing | Auto-size functionality | Manually simulate different battery sizes |
| Simulation time per scenario | A few minutes on average | Up to several hours |
What is the primary target audience
Both solutions can be used by businesses of any size and type. However, Tibo Energy favours larger commercial and industrial sites, as this is also the focus of their EMS.
With Wattix you can simulate for any type of business. From large logistics sites and factories, to dairy farmers and hospitals, to offices and retail stores. Whether you are simulating a large-scale grid operator contract with block power, or the impact of phasing out net metering for an SME. Wattix covers all cases.
What about EMS compatibility
An advantage of Tibo Energy's simulation software is that they can convert the simulated scenario and deploy it with their EMS solution. If you want to choose a different EMS solution, for example a simpler one or for cost reasons, the simulation results may not align well. This is because their internal AI model is not supported by other parties. As a result, you are less independent and less flexible.
Wattix is brand-independent, or EMS-agnostic. This means that what is simulated cannot be executed one-to-one by an EMS party, since the underlying control logic and data differs per party. Our models are based on fundamental principles such as peak-shaving, curtailment, and battery control. This way we simulate what many EMS parties can offer in practice, while remaining brand-independent. This gives you the flexibility to switch and compare.
Looking for an EMS party and wondering if Wattix fits in? We're happy to help.
How does the underlying technology differ
At the core of any simulation solution lies an algorithm, for which there are different approaches that can lead to the same result.
Wattix has chosen a foundation of mathematical optimisation models. Pure mathematics. Depending on the complexity of an energy scenario, we select the right mathematical model to achieve the optimal result. The advantage is that our simulations are mathematically grounded and relatively fast compared to other solutions.
You can also use AI. Tibo Energy has chosen this approach. It should be noted that AI is a broad concept used for everything nowadays. ChatGPT is based on Machine Learning - learning from data to make predictions — which is also a form of AI. Additionally, the mathematical optimisations that Wattix uses could also be called AI. It is unclear which underlying techniques Tibo Energy uses for their algorithm Alice.
The challenge with AI models is explainability: how was a result produced and how optimal is the outcome? This is in contrast to mathematical optimisations of which the best result can be reproduced and explained.
How do you size a battery
"What size should my battery be?" is a frequently asked question in cases where peak-shaving is needed to solve grid congestion problems.
If you already have an idea of the right size, you can simulate this battery with Tibo Energy and review the effect. Then you can make the battery larger or smaller and simulate again, step by step, to arrive at the ideal size.
With Wattix you can also simulate batteries of any desired size. However, if you don't yet know how large the battery should be, our software automatically calculates the required power and capacity. This way you determine the right battery in one go to absorb peaks and charge sufficiently in between. Our algorithm also indicates when there is not enough capacity on a connection to absorb all peaks with a battery.
How much time does running a simulation take
Due to a different underlying simulation model, there are also differences in simulation time.
Wattix uses optimised mathematical models and powerful servers resulting in simulations that are completed within a few minutes on average while achieving an optimal result. A simple scenario with a year of 15-minute data, solar panels, and an energy contract is ready within seconds. Calculating a battery for peak-shaving typically takes a few minutes. Even complex cases with multiple solar installations, charging hubs, batteries, and different loads are typically completed within fifteen minutes.
By keeping simulation time low, you can analyze multiple scenarios without interruption. Even together with the customer during your visit.
The AI techniques that Tibo Energy uses affect the speed of simulations. In comparable simulations, a simulation can take several hours.