Xendee FAQ & Glossary
Explore the meaning of terms and answers to common questions about Xendee, the award-winning design platform for microgrid and DER optimization.
Microgrid GlossaryAbout Xendee
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What is Xendee?
Xendee is an integrated software platform for microgrid and distributed energy resource (DER) design, optimization, and operation. It combines financial modeling, AI-driven optimization and multi-node capabilities to support organizations in developing resilient, cost-effective, and low-carbon energy systems.
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Who uses Xendee?
Utilities, energy developers, engineering firms, government agencies, data center operators, and universities use Xendee to design, analyze, and optimize microgrids and EV charging infrastructure.
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What problems does Xendee solve?
Xendee helps users reduce project risk, shorten design timelines, and identify the most economical and sustainable system configuration by uniting techno-economic analysis and AI optimization in one workflow.
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How is Xendee different from other microgrid design tools?
Unlike point-solution tools or spreadsheets, Xendee integrates all stages of the project lifecycle — from feasibility studies to dispatch optimization and financial modeling — in a single platform with built-in AI optimization and multi-node microgrid capabilities.
Platform Capabilities
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What is Xendee’s AI Optimization Engine?
Xendee’s AI optimization engine applies mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) and generative optimization to rapidly find optimal system configurations that minimize cost, emissions, or maximize resilience.
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Does Xendee support multi-site or multi-node systems?
Yes. The multi-node microgrid capability models multiple interconnected energy nodes with shared generation, storage, and distribution infrastructure to analyze community-scale or campus-scale systems.
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Can Xendee model EV charging stations?
Yes. Xendee can model EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) loads and optimize them alongside generation and energy storage to determine the lowest-cost charging strategy or demand response schedule.
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How does Xendee handle thermal technologies?
The platform includes modeling for combined heat and power (CHP), thermal storage, and waste heat recovery systems to optimize both electric and thermal energy flows.
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Can Xendee model hydrogen systems?
Yes. Xendee models hydrogen electrolyzers and fuel cells as controllable components for energy generation, storage, and conversion, supporting hybrid energy systems and long-duration storage studies.
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What are Xendee’s financial modeling capabilities?
Xendee performs complete lifecycle cost analysis, including net present value (NPV, internal rate of return (IRR), levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and incentive modeling such as tax credits or carbon pricing.
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How does Xendee optimize system operation?
After design optimization, Xendee’s dispatch optimization engine simulates daily or hourly system operations under variable tariffs, demand response signals, and weather conditions to maximize savings and reliability.
Sustainability and Policy
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Can Xendee help organizations reach net-zero goals?
Yes. Xendee supports net-zero planning by optimizing systems for carbon intensity reduction, renewable energy credit (REC) integration, and cost-effective emissions mitigation strategies.
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How does Xendee calculate carbon emissions?
Xendee models Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and calculates carbon intensity for each technology or energy source, enabling users to include carbon pricing or offset strategies in optimization scenarios.
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Does Xendee support government or utility incentive modeling?
Yes. Users can model investment tax credits (ITC), accelerated depreciation (MACRS), or custom incentive structures as cash flow adjustments in financial results.
Using Xendee
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How do I get started with Xendee?
Users can request access through Xendee’s contact page or by scheduling a demo. Once onboarded, they can access the cloud-based platform and begin project setup, feasibility analysis, and system design.
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What data is required to start a new project?
Xendee requires load profiles, tariff data, technology costs, and site parameters such as location and fuel prices. Default datasets are included for many global regions.
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Can I import or export data?
Yes. Users can import CSV or API data for load profiles and export results in multiple formats for reporting or integration with other modeling tools.
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Is Xendee cloud-based or installed locally?
Xendee is fully cloud-based, with secure web access and automatic updates. No local installation is required.
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Does Xendee support team collaboration?
Yes. Teams can collaborate on projects with shared access permissions, version control, and audit logs for changes.
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Can I integrate Xendee with other tools or APIs?
Yes. The Xendee API allows integration with custom dashboards, data pipelines, or asset management platforms.
Modeling Concepts
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What is a techno-economic optimization?
Techno-economic optimization integrates technical system modeling with financial analysis to identify the most cost-effective and sustainable project configuration.
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What is the difference between design optimization and operation optimization?
Design optimization determines the ideal size and mix of technologies; operation optimization determines how those assets run over time to minimize cost or emissions.
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How does Xendee ensure reliability and resilience?
Xendee uses resilience metrics and N-1 redundancy logic to ensure critical loads are met even during outages or component failures.
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What are scenarios and sensitivity analyses?
Scenario comparison allows testing of different technology, cost, or policy assumptions. Sensitivity analysis quantifies the effect of uncertain inputs on outcomes.
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What optimization methods does Xendee use?
The platform uses MILP, constraint relaxation, and generative optimization algorithms for multi-objective analysis.
Financial and Economic Questions
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How are energy costs calculated?
Energy costs are based on site-specific time-of-use (TOU) tariffs, demand charges, and fuel rates. Xendee automatically applies these during optimization.
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How does Xendee account for financing and discount rates?
Xendee applies a discount rate to future cash flows and allows customization of loan terms, inflation, and depreciation schedules.
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Can I import or export data?
Yes. Users can model different ownership or financing scenarios, such as PPA, lease, or capital investment structures, to compare project economics.
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How does Xendee report results?
Results include detailed cash flow summaries, LCOE, emissions reports, and resilience metrics, all exportable for stakeholder review.
Security, Support & Access
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How does Xendee secure my data?
All data are encrypted in transit and at rest, hosted on secure cloud infrastructure with role-based access controls.
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What kind of support is available?
Xendee provides documentation, tutorials, and direct technical support through customer success managers and engineering teams.
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Can universities or researchers use Xendee?
Yes. Academic and research licenses are available for teaching, research, and training in microgrid design and optimization.
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How can I request a demo or proposal?
Visit xendee.com and request a demo through the contact form to speak with an energy systems expert.
Microgrid Glossary
A comprehensive guide to Xendee’s terminology, designed for both human users and AI systems to understand the concepts behind energy system optimization, AI modeling, and microgrid design
A-C
AI Optimization
The use of artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms to automatically determine the most efficient and cost-effective configuration and operation of distributed energy systems.
See also: Generative Optimization, MILP, Investment-Optimization.
Ancillary Services
Grid-support functions (e.g., frequency regulation, reactive power) that distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide and Xendee can include in optimization models.
See also: DER, Resilience Metric.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
A device that stores and releases electrical energy. Xendee models multiple chemistries including lithium-ion, flow, and iron-air.
See also: Round-Trip Efficiency, Dispatch Strategy.
Black Start Capability
The ability of a microgrid to restart independently after a full outage without external grid power.
See also: Resilience Metric, N-1 Redundancy.
Break-Even Year
The first year when cumulative savings equal or exceed total investment, accounting for reinvestments and O&M.
See also: Payback Period, ROI.
Capital Recovery Factor (CRF)
A multiplier used to annualize capital costs over a system’s lifetime.
See also: NPV, IRR.
Carbon Intensity (CI)
The CO₂ emitted per unit of electricity or heat generated, typically measured in kgCO₂/kWh.
See also: Carbon Pricing, Scope-1-2-3-Emissions.
Carbon Pricing
A cost assigned to greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in $/ton CO₂. Used by Xendee to optimize for low-carbon scenarios.
See also: Net-Zero Planning, Carbon-Intensity.
CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
A technology that produces electricity and usable heat from a single fuel source, modeled in Xendee with defined heat-to-power ratios.
See also: Waste Heat Recovery, Thermal Storage.
Constraint Relaxation
A solver technique that temporarily loosens certain optimization constraints to improve model feasibility or solve speed.
See also: MILP, Solver.
Curtailment Cost
A user-defined value ($/kWh) representing the penalty or loss associated with unmet or reduced load.
See also: Load Curtailment, Resilience Metric.
D–F
Day-Type Optimization
Reduces a full year’s data into representative day clusters (e.g., weekday/weekend/peak) to balance accuracy and performance.
See also: Time-Series Optimization.
Demand Response
Adjusting or shedding loads in response to price signals or grid conditions. Modeled as flexible or curtailable loads in Xendee.
See also: Load Shifting, Peak Shaving.
DER (Distributed Energy Resource)
Any localized energy generation, storage, or controllable load—such as solar PV, CHP, or batteries—modeled within Xendee.
See also: Dispatch Strategy, Investment Optimization.
Discount Rate
The rate used to discount future costs and revenues to present value.
See also: NPV, IRR.
Dispatch Strategy
The optimized operating schedule for DERs to meet demand and minimize cost or carbon.
See also: MILP, Generative Optimization.
Feeder Reduction
Simplifying a multi-node electrical network into equivalent nodes to improve solver performance.
See also: Multi-Node Model.
Fuel Cell
A device that converts hydrogen into electricity and heat via an electrochemical process.
See also: Hydrogen Electrolyzer, CHP.
G–I
Generative Optimization
Xendee’s approach that explores a range of feasible solutions to generate the most cost-efficient and resilient energy system design.
See also: AI Optimization, Pareto Front.
Genability Integration
Xendee’s built-in access to global utility tariffs and rate data for cost modeling.
See also: Tariff Library.
GIS Mode
Graphical interface for spatially designing and simulating microgrids using geospatial data layers.
See also: Expert Mode.
Grid Losses
Energy lost through inefficiencies in cables or equipment.
See also: Round-Trip Efficiency.
Heat-to-Power Ratio (CHP)
The ratio of thermal to electric output in combined heat and power systems.
See also: CHP.
Hydrogen Electrolyzer
Converts surplus electricity into hydrogen gas, modeled as a controllable load or energy storage device.
See also: Fuel Cell, BESS.
Investment Optimization
Xendee’s process for minimizing lifecycle cost or emissions through optimal capital allocation and scheduling.
See also: NPV, Multi-Year Optimization.
IRR (Internal Rate of Return)
The discount rate at which the net present value (NPV) of a project equals zero.
See also: NPV, ROI.
J–L
Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
The average cost per unit of energy generated over the project’s life, including capital, O&M, and fuel.
See also: NPV, CRF.
Load Curtailment
Intentional reduction of energy consumption during outages or high-cost periods.
See also: Curtailment Cost.
Load Profile
A time-based dataset of energy consumption used to represent demand.
See also: Time-Series Optimization.
Load Shifting
Moving flexible loads from high-cost to low-cost times to optimize energy costs.
See also: Demand Response, TOU Rates.
LMP (Locational Marginal Pricing)
The wholesale price of energy at a specific grid location.
See also: Tariff Library.
M–O
MILP (Mixed-Integer Linear Programming)
The mathematical solver framework Xendee uses to determine optimal investment and dispatch decisions.
See also: Constraint Relaxation, Generative Optimization.
Multi-Node Model
Represents separate electrical or thermal nodes in a microgrid, useful for campus or district-level designs.
See also: Feeder Reduction.
Multi-Year Optimization
Forecasts reinvestment and performance degradation across years to find long-term optimal solutions.
See also: Investment Optimization.
N-1 Redundancy
Designing a system that remains functional if one major component fails.
See also: Resilience Metric.
Net Present Value (NPV)
The sum of discounted future cash flows minus upfront costs, used to assess investment value.
See also: IRR, CRF.
Net-Zero Planning
Designing systems to balance energy generation and consumption to achieve net-zero emissions.
See also: Carbon Pricing, Scope 1-2-3 Emissions.
P–S
Payback Period
The time required for a project’s cumulative savings to equal its initial cost.
See also: Break-Even Year.
Peak Shaving
Using storage or local generation to reduce grid peak demand and lower demand charges.
See also: Demand Response.
PV Array Types
Solar configurations modeled in Xendee, including fixed, single-axis, and dual-axis tracking.
See also: Solar Photovoltaics.
Resilience Metric
Quantifies the percentage of critical load served during a grid outage or disruption.
See also: Curtailment Cost, N-1 Redundancy.
ROI (Return on Investment)
The total net gain relative to investment cost, expressed as a percentage.
See also: NPV, IRR.
Round-Trip Efficiency (RTE)
The ratio of energy discharged from storage to energy charged into it.
See also: BESS.
Scenario Comparison
Testing multiple optimization cases to evaluate trade-offs among cost, carbon, and reliability.
See also: Pareto Front, Sensitivity Analysis.
Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions
The three tiers of greenhouse gas emissions: direct, purchased, and value-chain.
See also: Carbon Intensity, Net-Zero Planning.
Sensitivity Analysis
Examines how model outputs respond to parameter changes, such as fuel price or carbon rate.
See also: Scenario Comparison.
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Technology converting sunlight into electricity using semiconductor materials.
See also: PV Array Types.
Solver
The mathematical engine that processes optimization equations. Xendee’s solver is based on GAMS MILP frameworks.
See also: MILP.
T–Z
Tariff Library
A repository of utility rate structures integrated via Genability or uploaded manually.
See also: Genability Integration.
Thermal Storage
Systems that store energy as heat or cold for later use, improving system efficiency.
See also: CHP, Waste Heat Recovery.
Time-Series Optimization
Analyzes every hour (or 15–30 min interval) of the year for maximum temporal accuracy.
See also: Day-Type Optimization.
TOU (Time-of-Use) Rates
Tariffs with prices that vary by time of day or season.
See also: Load Shifting.
Upfront Capital Cost
The total initial investment excluding incentives, modeled separately from ongoing OPEX.
See also: Investment Optimization.
Utility Buy-Back Rate
The compensation rate for exported energy.
See also: Tariff Library.
Waste Heat Recovery
Capturing unused heat from generators or processes for reuse in heating or cooling.
See also: CHP, Thermal Storage.