ha-helios-optimizer

HA Helios Optimizer - Readme

README - Doc - Why LP - Install - Release Notes

Intro

For an Introduction to the Helios Optimizer: see Helios Optimizer - Documentation.

Why Use a Linear Programming Energy Model:

See Helios Optimizer Why LP

Installation:

• Prerequisites:
  • PyScript (Via HACS): Configuration with V Allow All Imports and V Hass Access (VERY IMPORTANT).
  • Forecast.Solar Integration: Configured Solar Panels (pane).
  • Dynamic Price Integration (working dynamic prices in HBC): Helios uses the dynamic prices of HBC!
  • Additional Dashboard Cards (via HACS): ApexCharts, card-mod and button-card .
• Download the latest version from GitHub.
• Create the missing folders in Home Assistant.
• Copy the py files to /pyscript and /pyscript/helios_python
• Copy the configuration file (helios_optimizer.yaml) to /packages
• Copy the banner file (HeliosOptimizerBanner.jpeg and HeliosOptimizerBanner70.jpeg) to /www
• Create a new Home Assistant Dashboard for Helios (from helios_dashboard.yaml including the views: line at the top).
• Or Add the Helios Tabs to the HBC Dashboard yaml (from helios_dashboard.yaml but excluding the views: line).
• Import the Helios Strategy Flow (02 strategy-helios-vx.xx.x-vy.y.y.json) in Node-RED and [Deploy].
• Add the “Helios” strategy to the options of input_select.house_battery_strategy in the HBC configuration file (house_battery_control.yaml).
• Restart Home Assistant.
• Adapt the parameters on the Helios Dashboard (Controls Tab) but try using the defaults at first.
• For a Dry Run: Select the “Dynamic” Strategy in HBC.
  HBC will follow the Dynamic Strategy, dynamic price info is refreshed and the Helios Optimizer produces an Energy Plan.
• For an Update Run: Select the “Helios” Strategy in HBC and HBC will follow the Helios Strategy according to the Energy Plan.
• Check the Output of the Helios Optimizer on the Helios Dashboard (‘Controls’ Tab and ‘Detailed Results’ Tab).
• For advanced configuration use the ‘Helios Insights Mode’ button to make additional input parameters and output results visible (or to hide).
• Check your Prices in the Optimal Energy Plan Table. If the price are not as expected then you may need to adapt price type, data provider and/or energy provider in the advanced parameters. This is especially applicable when you are using a generic data provider with market prices.

For a detailed installation procedure see Helios Optimizer Installation.

Upgrade

For Upgrade Instructions see Helios Optimizer Installation - Upgrade.
For updated files per release see Helios Optimizer Release Notes.

Features

• LP/MILP Optimization: Uses SciPy Linear Programming to maximize profit and minimize energy costs.
• HBC Output Integration: Helios Strategy as a native HBC strategy using the Helios Optimizer Output (Sub Strategy and Power).
• HBC Input Integration: Retrieves Parameters and Prices from HBC
• HA PyScript/Python Application: Runs within PyScript and native Python and does not require an external engine.
• Fast: Lightweight execution that optimizes 192 steps of 15 minutes (for 2 days) within 500ms per Optimization Run.
• Asynchronous: Actual calculation is executed directly into the HA core asynchronous loop.
• Zero-Config Setup: Out-of-the-box defaults let you run a test optimization immediately without configuration.
• Independent: Open design compatible with any dynamic pricing, solar forecast and house usage forecast.
• Flexible Horizon & Intervals: Calculates the Optimal Energy Plan for one or two day(s) with 15-minute or 60-minute intervals (step sizes).
• Dynamic Recalculation: Runs automatically from the current timestamp (based on current state) or from a user-defined step (for testing).
• Clean Data Structure: Simple full-day input and output arrays (00:00-24:00/48:00).

Roadmap (2026-2027)

• Solar Forecast: Support for Solcast as an additional Solar Production prediction.
• Additional Models: Profit Optimization is implemented, Additional models are Cost Optimization and Self Consumption.
• Energy Providers: Add additional Energy Providers with their related Provider Markups (Opslag) - ongoing.
• Custom Provider Profile: Allow the Custom Provider Profile settings to be defined by the user (e.g. Energy Tax, VAT, markups, Loss Factors)
• House Usage History:” Determine House Usage Forecast from House Usage History.
• Limit Power in HBC: Currently HBC will start charging/discharging at full power (independent of the Helios advice)
• Device Support: EV (highest priority), Heat Pump, and Boiler support (as Deferrable Devices).
• Modular Connectors: Dedicated modules for Energy Providers, Solar Forecasts, Battery and Solar Inverter Integrations.
• Native HA Integration: Pure Python Home Assistant Custom Component (HACS-ready), run without PyScript or external engines.

Important Remark

Helios can derive Export Prices using Source Price Data (e.g. from HBC Price Data with Import Prices). The Import Price is based upon the Market and includes Energy Tax (Energiebelasting). The Export Price is also based upon the Market Price and does not included Energy Tax. Since the Net Metering (Nederlandse Salderingsregeling) is no longer applicable in 2027 this a future proof approach. However in 2026 the value of the export of energy can be higher than the export price. As long as the total of exported energy is less than the total of imported energy the Energy Tax is compensated while exporting energy! The Optimizer Model does not take this extra value into account.

Inputs

• Optimization Parameters (Steps, Step size, Start Step, Grid Limits)
• House Daily Energy Usage (Forecast array or average House Daily Usage and Distribution)
• Solar Parameters (Forecast array and Solar Mode)
• Current Battery State (Battery Capacity and Battery State of Charge) (From HBC)
• Battery Parameters (SOC Target, Min, Max, Charge/Discharge Limit, Charge/Discharge Efficiency)
• Grid Import Prices array (import price per step) or Source Price Data (From HBC)
• Grid Export Prices array (export price per step) or Source Price Data (Derived from HBC)
• Grid Market Prices array (market price per step) or Source Price Data (Derived from HBC)

Optional deferrable loads (Future):

• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging profile
• Heat Pump (HP) operation parameters
• Boiler operation parameters

What’s New and Updating instructions:

See Helios Optimizer Release Notes

Documentation and Help

For a detailed Documentation of the application and for specification of the Input Parameters and the Output Results (Optimized Energy Plan) see the Helios Optimizer Documentation.

Help and FAQ

For help on specific input parameters or output results use the links provided above each section of the dashboard to link directly to the applicable information in the documentation.

For configuration problems and other frequently asked questions see Helios Optimizer FAQ. For installation problems see the detailed Helios Installation Instructions

Advanced

Some input parameters and output results are hidden to improve the usability of the Helios dashboard. A button is available on the top of the dashboard tabs ‘Helios Inside Mode’. Click this button to enable or disable the ‘Helios Inside Mode’. Additional input and output sections will become available in ‘Helios Inside Mode’.

Credits

I would like to thank all the testers that have been providing very useful feedback for improving the application and the documentation.

Contributing

At the moment it is not advised to develop additional features based on the current version. The current code is not yet stable so your changes may not work on the next release. Only small bug fixes will be accepted. Please raise an issue to report a bug or to request for new functionality.

FAQ and Help

Helios Optimizer Frequently Asked Questions and Helios Optimizer Documentation

Interest Poll (Dutch)

Helios Optimizer Interest Poll Results in Dutch

License & Disclaimer

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPLv3). As stated in the license, this software is provided “as is” without any warranty, and installation or use is entirely at your own risk.

A full description of the applicable license is available via this link: Helios Optimizer License

The author(s) accept no responsibility or liability for any damage, financial loss, battery degradation, or system disruption resulting from the use or misuse of this application. Always verify system behavior and safety limits for your specific hardware setup.

Keywords: Battery Management System, Energy Management System, Optimize your Energy Plan, Solar Panels, Home and House Automation, Home Assistant, HBC, Linear Programming, Python, PyScript

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