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PCI Insight Your source for the latest news and more from PCI Energy in Focus. August 2011 In Touch. When it comes to generation supply management software, PCI keeps your energy in focus. In the News. PCI Welcomes Santee Cooper to Growing Client List. Click here to read more. [http://www.powercosts.com/category/news]
In the Golden State. Guests were powered up to hear about the latest technology at PCI's Annual User Conference which was held May 18-20 in Newport Beach, California at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. Showcasing the latest technology in generation supply management software, the 'More Power To You' theme concentrated on delivering the latest software solutions to energy-focused companies and welcomed more than 20 speakers from different energy markets to discuss challenges and opportunities in the power industry. 'It was wonderful to see the well-prepared presentations and exchange information with our energy industry colleagues,' said Fred Lee, president of PCI. 'Our data warehouse and business intelligence tools, combined with our expanded optimization techniques, give customers the power to quickly analyze key metrics and use that information to increase profitability.' One of the highlights included interactive sessions with PCI experts providing one-on-one demonstrations of the company's generation supply management software. For every attendee who participated in at least four demos, their name was entered in a drawing for a prized iPad 2. At the close of the conference, PCI hosted a roundtable discussion to initiate feedback and address client-specific needs. 'We received important feedback and are looking forward to seeing everyone at next year's conference,' said Lee. Paul Thomas of OG&E in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was the lucky winner of the prized iPad 2 drawing at the PCI User Conference in Newport Beach, CA. Congratulations, Paul!
In the Lead. A Market-Driven Approach to P&L Analysis Featuring the PCI P&L (Profit and Loss) Analysis this month, we're setting the industry standard for the best in generation supply management software to give you the most accurate and efficient data available. PCI provides users with a variety of tools for data and profitability analysis that are specific to your market and business needs. These Business Intelligence (BI) analyzer tools are designed to put decision-making details at your fingertips in dashboards that provide graphical representations of trends and comparisons and provide intuitive 'drill-down' capabilities. One such tool, the Profit and Loss (P&L) Analyzer, allows your entire marketing and trading organization to better coordinate their efforts by facilitating rapid exploration and graphic visualization of next day revenues and costs for generation portfolios in an ISO-controlled market. P&L Analyzer provides Front- and Back-office personnel with the capability to perform P&L analysis the day after the operating day using pre-settlement and cost data. The results of this timely analysis provide fast, penetrating insights into specifically where (and how) revenues, as well as expenses, are incurred. P&L Analyzer [http://www.powercosts.com/solutions/enterprise-solutions/bi-analyzers] While the P&L Analyzer's analytical capabilities remain consistent across markets, the tool is implemented based on each ISO's unique market and settlement rules. The tool's Main Dashboard allows users to initiate data Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) processes as well monitor business workflows the tool employs. These workflows involve a host of key features that make the tool a must-have business analysis solution: • Cost calculation functions to calculate costs associated with generation and load using actual generation schedules, DA and RT energy, and AS offers. • Pre-settlement calculation functions to estimate DA and RT ISO settlement credits and charges using bid and awards data, LMPs, dispatch instructions, AS deployments, and various settlement calculation parameters. • Analysis and reporting to provide powerful capabilities (such as, aggregate, roll up, drill down) to analyze settlement charges, production costs, and profits & losses. By leveraging the power of Data Warehousing, P&L Analyzer benefits from multiple data archiving, incremental loading, and quick data retrieval. PCI P&L Analyzer eliminates the need to wait days and even weeks to evaluate and adjust the performance of market portfolios. Market participants often do not receive complete ISO settlement statements until 7-15 calendar days after the operating day. But with the Analyzer, clients have next-day access to data and reports that help them understand the financial implications of their bidding strategies, identify operational inefficiencies, and take corrective actions.
In Case. Here's some insight on how PCI keeps energy companies like yours in focus. This month, we talked with Justin Thompson at APS. Company Arizona Public Service Background: As Arizona's largest and longest-serving electric utility, APS serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. APS plants are served by three different pipelines, and during emergency conditions, there can be penalties imposed if performance isn't measured correctly. 'Before, traders would do their best and use their intuition to try to estimate,' said Thompson. 'Unfortunately, what that would do is cause them to overshoot and guess incorrectly.' Solution: APS chose to incorporate PCI's software to help them manage and track measurements to receive hourly updates. Combining the capabilities of PCI's GenTrader and GenPortal software, APS was able to automatically see updates every hour on the hour, each time they would perform a run. Results: 'This software system has been tremendous for us,' said Thompson. 'Our efficiency has increased and the accuracy of our response has improved. With PCI's tools, we can be very precise about what actions to take. PCI products are right at the heart of our solutions.'
In the Know. At the Source Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and natural gas) accounted for 69% of all net generation in 2009. Nuclear electric power accounted for 20%, while renewable energy counted for 10%. *source: U.S. Energy Information Administration ----------------------------- In the Spotlight. TJ Ferreira Title/Position: Director Birthday: February 27 Alma Mater: California State University – Sacramento Degree: Computer Science Family: Kim (wife), Jack (Lab), Logan (Boxer), Oliver & Jenna (cats) Experience: I started at NCPA in 1998 and learned a lot. Then I went to SVP as a RT Scheduler, then worked with CAISO, and later worked on the MRTU project. After that, I went to SCE as Manager of Day Ahead Operations. Hobbies: Playing cards. Cribbage is probably my favorite, followed by Pinochle and Poker. One Thing No One Knows About Me: I received a full-ride scholarship for pole vaulting. I recently decided to get back into vaulting — I'm training now so I can try to beat my personal best (13'1'). Key to Success: Empathy. Putting myself in someone else's shoes. Community Involvement: I volunteer at the Burbank German Shepherd Rescue and Habitat for Humanity. Favorite Quote: 'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.' – Charles M. Schulz
PCI | Energy in Focus We are committed to providing you timely information and always welcome your feedback. If there is a topic of interest you have in mind, please email us at info@powercosts.com. In the Lead. • World leader in generation asset optimization • Application Services • Integration Services • Consulting Services powercosts.com Corporate Headquarters 3550 W. Robinson Suite 200 | Norman, Oklahoma 73072 | 405.447.6933
 
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