The planning of a renewable energy production plant with AlpiWatt asks for a precise data input, following a scheduled sequence.

INPUTING CLIMATIC DATA: to define the renowable energy source (solar, hydraulic) used for the plant projet.

ELECTRIC USER POINT: here it's possible to input electric user points and relative consumptions, hours from hours and variable with the seasons.

PLANT DEFINITION : in these windows, the user can define the system, selecting the single parts that will take part in it: the data are inputed in the frames of the Plants Menu. In these windows all the technical characteristics of the energy production plant are defined. In one of the windows the indicative costs of materials and equipments are reported (2003 values, on average, indicative costs referred to Italy).

SIMULATION: the simulation represents the heart of the AlpiWatt program: when running, AW elaborates the values introduced, simulating hour by hour the consumption and the production of electric power.

RESULTS: after simulation the user can visualize a series of tables and graphs that resume the technical results. It is possible to visualize up to four diagrams at the same time. Tables can be reached by clicking on the Results Menu and choosing the appropriate table. Graphs are reached through the Graphs Menu. The economic analysis in AlpiWatt is based on:
• Net Present Value (NPV)
• Internal Return Ratio (IRR)
• Cost for used kWh

PRINTING DATA ON EXCEL FILES: AlpiWatt can save all the data in a .PRN file, that can be accessed by Microsoft Excel. From the File Menu, choose the “print on file/excel” option, then give a name with a .PRN extension to the file.