Roles of ICT-systems for electricity providers: Decision support

Abstract

Advanced information management is needed in highly competed electricity markets. Energy field combines data, information and knowledge achieved from several ICT (Information and Communication Technology)-based systems. The roles and properties of the ICT-systems needed in the electricity supply chain are often overlapping each other making positing of certain system challenging and confusing for electricity companies or governmental authorities. Selecting or using most suitable and efficient system features as an optimal way in the environment where crucial business decisions need both real-time data and analyzed long term information. This research study analyzes the positions of the key ICT-systems from a typical electricity producer and electricity market party perspective. The roles of commonly used ICT-systems in this specific area shall be classified based on their operative, knowledge, management and strategic position. The study also evaluates real-time, historical and forecasting features of the said ICT-systems.