What you need to know

• Coincident peaks represent the highest electricity demand hour for each month; the increased demand means higher electricity prices 
• Camus [camus.energy] provides coincident peak demand forecasting for cost management and load shifting
• Salient’s AI-driven probabilistic forecasts up to 52 weeks ahead [salientpredictions.com] provides daily and hourly time series for temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar irradiance, and more
• Together our technologies can help a utility with 3 MW of flexible resources save $400,000 - $560,000 per year

Overview
In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, the integration of renewables is essential to meet ambitious carbon reduction goals. The White House's 2030 plan to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and achieve 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 [link] demands innovative approaches to grid management. Salient and Camus are at the forefront of this transformation, working together to save utilities hundreds of thousands of dollars while driving renewable energy adoption.

The Challenge
As utilities face an influx of electric vehicles (EVs), distributed energy resources (DERs), and behind-the-meter solar, managing grid stability becomes increasingly complex. Peak demand charges—fees based on the highest hour of electricity demand each month—pose a significant financial challenge. With the added volatility brought on by climate change, historical data alone is insufficient for predicting peak demand. Utilities need smarter solutions to avoid excessive costs and embrace a future driven by clean energy.

The Innovative Partnership: Camus + Salient
Camus’ grid orchestration software is built to optimize day-to-day operations for utilities by managing DERs. It helps utilities shift demand and procure local energy on peak days, saving on coincident peak charges. 

This is where Salient’s AI-driven subseasonal forecasts come into play. Using advanced probabilistic models and downscaling features (via easy to use APIs), Salient provides accurate forecasts for key weather variables such as temperature, relative humidity, and solar irradiance, which are critical inputs for Camus’ peak load prediction models.

Together, Salient and Camus offer utilities an unprecedented ability to anticipate peak events up to 30 days in advance. By integrating Salient’s long-term weather forecasts with Camus’ demand-shifting platform, utilities can precisely time their load management, even during unpredictable spring and fall weather patterns, when forecasting is most challenging.

Salient’s forecasts provide a probabilistic distribution of outcomes to enable a comprehensive view of risks.

Case Study: Reducing Costs and Increasing Accuracy
A Colorado-based utility implemented the Camus-Salient solution to tackle its coincident peak challenges. The results were striking: Camus predicted 92% of monthly peaks correctly with 30% fewer dispatches. For a utility managing 3 MW of flexible resources—equivalent to around 3,000 EV chargers or 600 home batteries—and middle-of-the-road coincident peak demand charges, this translates into an annual savings of $400,000 to $560,000.

This success is a testament to the power of combining advanced weather forecasting with smart grid management, enabling utilities to reduce peak demand charges while maintaining grid reliability.

‍Camus' orchestration platform provides essential forecasts for electric utility operators, anticipating periods of peak demand and local capacity constraints.

The Bigger Picture: Preparing for a Carbon-Free Future
As Colorado transitions into a wholesale electricity market, utilities that leverage tools like Salient’s probabilistic forecasts and Camus’ grid orchestration software are poised to lead the charge in the energy revolution. These technologies empower grid operators to integrate more renewable resources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and avoid costly peak demand charges—all while ensuring affordable electricity for their communities.

Conclusion: A Path to Sustainable, Affordable Energy
Salient and Camus’ partnership showcases the power of innovation in utility cost management and grid modernization. By incorporating sophisticated AI models and long range weather forecasting, utilities and energy co-ops can unlock the potential of distributed resources, ensuring clean, reliable, and cost-effective power for the future.

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Take Action: Join the Clean Energy Revolution

• To explore how Camus Energy can transform your utility’s operations, reach out today.
• Discover the impact of Salient’s subseasonal forecasts by requesting a demo.