Tibo Energy alternative: Wattix compared

About Tibo Energy

Tibo Energy was founded in 2022 and is based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands⁴. Tibo provides Energy Management Software (EMS) for complex commercial and industrial sites². In addition, they offer simulation software to validate energy systems upfront, before deploying them in practice with their EMS³.

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.

What is the primary target audience

Wattix and Tibo Energy both work for professionals. Tibo names consultants, system integrators and EMS partners³; Wattix works for installers, consultants and energy partners. The difference is in the sites you simulate. Tibo Energy aims its EMS at commercial and industrial sites², and builds it for partners working with large enterprises, from a 3x80A connection¹.

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 solar panels and chargers of an SME. Wattix covers all cases.

What about EMS compatibility

An advantage of Tibo Energy's simulation software is that the validated model becomes the configuration basis for their EMS³. The flip side is that the simulation only lets you choose between Tibo EMS and no EMS at all⁵. If you want to choose a different EMS solution, for example a simpler or cheaper one, the simulation results may not align well. As a result, you are less brand-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: they describe Alice as an AI algorithm that makes decisions every five minutes based on forecasts, prices and constraints², and their simulations run on the same algorithm⁵. 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.

The advantage of mathematical optimisation is explainability: the best result is calculated, so you can trace how an outcome was reached and how optimal it is.

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.

According to Tibo Energy's documentation, you first simulate a battery of a chosen size and review the effect. Then you make the battery larger or smaller and simulate again, until you reach a realistic or cost-effective configuration⁶.

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.

More about battery calculations with Wattix →

How much time does running a simulation take

Simulation time shapes how you work: do you run scenarios on the spot, or wait for the outcome?

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.

Tibo Energy publishes no simulation times. Their simulator has three modes, from a fast first feasibility report to a slower analysis at maximum accuracy⁵.

Tibo's own guide does warn that full-year simulations for every scenario can quickly consume a lot of simulation credits. For intermediate scenarios it recommends simulating only the critical months, and running the full year only for the final configuration⁶. Wattix does not use simulation credits: you run every scenario over the full year.