February 2, 2011 – CygNet Software announced Energy Load Forecasting (ELF) optimization and planning software for natural gas pipeline operators. ELF empowers gas transporters to maximize pipeline efficiency and profitability with “self-learning” software that automates the complex estimation processes involved in balancing supply and demand with contractual obligations. ELF extends the functionality of CygNet SCADA when running on CygNet EOP. It is the first forecasting tool delivered with a common technology platform for gas operations, removing the requirement to export and import data and results from a separate operational system. ELF joins an expanding CygNet Gas Application Suite for gas pipeline operators, which also includes functionality for gas measurement data, volume calculations and contract monitoring. The combination of these four capabilities makes CygNet’s suite one of the most complete, fully integrated and affordable pipeline operations packages available in the natural gas market.About Energy Load ForecastingELF is an innovative neural network-driven energy load forecasting system that returns highly accurate predictions of future gas demand. ELF keeps pipelines operating most effectively to maximize profitability, meet contractual or compliance obligations, and ensure customers are well served. By adjusting the line pack and stored gas automatically, ELF reduces variability by preparing pipelines in advance for expected demand – taking the guess work and grunt work out of daily load planning.Specific features of ELF include:
Neural Nets – ELF employs predictive neural network technology that learns, becoming more accurate over time, to compute load calculations based on user-defined variance against actual values. Neural net training can be split among servers for increased speed and better performance.Standardized Data Import – Use any standard or user-defined data input variable to deliver the highest “confidence” data into the allocation process, including historical/forecasted weather, flow data or economic factors.Forecast Management – Schedule, adjust and organize forecasts based on user-defined rules and parameters to retrain ELF automatically as conditions or import data changes. Define hierarchies for individual meters or aggregate groups for more flexible, granular forecasts of future gas demand.Platform Integration – ELF running on CygNet EOP reduces set-up time with a single point of data configuration for EFM and SCADA, and a single view into gas operations, with all the data management and export features common to CygNet’s core platform.Availability of Energy Load ForecastingThe Gas Application Suite is an optional software package available with CygNet SCADA, which runs natively on CygNet EOP version 7.3. CygNet EOP 7.3 including ELF was released in December 2010 and is currently available. The suite’s tight integration with its common data management platform ensures superior performance over loosely integrated alternatives. CygNet Software is offering ELF as part of its pre-configured implementation package for natural gas pipeline customers called CygNet for Pipeline.
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