IAV Optera

IAV Optera offers an innovative solution for designing high-performance power grids with minimal investment. This software utilizes automated high-performance algorithms and an adaptive learning process to continuously improve grid designs, ensuring they can handle any supply task at the lowest possible cost.

Operated via a modern web front end, IAV Optera allows users to create projects, define input data, and select optimization functions with ease. It performs load flow calculations, checks (n-1) fault circuits, and can independently identify separation points and branch joints. An integrated route search displays exact network paths, and users can incorporate their expertise through an editing function. Developed in cooperation with LEW Verteilnetz GmbH and MITNETZ STROM, it is available as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for quick deployment.

Key advantages include:

• Reduced workload: Consistent automation minimizes employee effort, enabling strategic target network planning for multiple distribution network operators.
• Accelerated planning: 24/7 operation of IAV servers allows for complete target network studies within hours, freeing up IT and customer teams.
• Improved planning results: Combines network planner expertise with automated ant heuristics, testing and evaluating hundreds of thousands of networks for optimal outcomes.

Unlike conventional network calculation programs that focus on current status checks, IAV Optera designs and evaluates structural and topological changes, providing a preview of possible development paths and automatically planning necessary expansion and conversion measures.

The software employs a modified ant colony algorithm for grid design generation, followed by local optimization and load flow checks by a second algorithm, ensuring electrically compliant and continuously improving grids.

IAV Optera requires data such as substation details, network loads, existing lines, and scenarios, which can be provided in JSON, CSV, or XLSX formats. Interfaces can also be tailored for seamless data transfer.

Features include:

• Existing network analysis: Rapid determination of network status and compliance with planning principles.
• Scenario-based analysis: Investigation of prospective developments and identification of network reinforcement needs.
• Greenfield analysis: Comparison of different network variants and structural optimizations.
• Brownfield target network study: Agile preparation for the energy transition by developing existing networks.

IAV Optera supports route planning with detailed obstacle detection and optimizes cable cross-sections as needed. It is a valuable tool for managing current planning tasks effectively.