Frequently Asked Questions

CogenS™ is a cloud-based technoeconomic analysis platform for designing, comparing, and optimizing energy systems. It supports CHP (combined heat and power), thermal systems (boilers, hot water heaters, chillers, cooling towers), and microgrid components (BESS, thermal storage, solar PV). The platform replaces complex spreadsheets with guided workflows, pre-loaded databases, and full lifecycle cost analysis.

CogenS™ runs entirely in your web browser at cogens.jisenergy.com — no installation required. Sign up for a free account to get started. The platform works on any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on Windows, macOS, Linux, or ChromeOS.

No. CogenS™ is a fully web-based application. Unlike earlier desktop versions, there is no need to install MATLAB Runtime or any local software. All simulations run in the cloud and results are available in your browser.

Yes. Our Free tier gives you access to all modules with 5 TEA model runs, 8,760-hour annual simulations, the full 340+ city database, and 10 AI Assistant queries — at no cost, forever. Sign up at cogens.jisenergy.com.

CogenS™ currently models CHP systems (reciprocating engines, gas turbines, and fuel cells including PAFC, SOFC, and MCFC), boilers (gas and oil, condensing and non-condensing, hot water and steam), domestic hot water heaters (electric, gas, heat pump, solar), chillers (reciprocating, screw, scroll, centrifugal, absorption), and cooling towers (open/closed circuit, centrifugal/axial fans, counterflow/crossflow). Microgrid components include solar PV (via PVWatts API), battery energy storage, and thermal energy storage. Hydrogen blending is supported for CHP systems.

CogenS™ runs 8,760-hour annual simulations at intervals as low as 15 minutes. This high-resolution simulation captures real equipment behavior, part-load performance, and utility rate structures with far greater accuracy than daily or monthly averages.

Yes. You can model multiple equipment units from different manufacturers in a single project and compare them side-by-side with standardized technoeconomic metrics — NPV, IRR, payback period, energy cost, emissions, and total cost of ownership.

Available in the CHP Module and Full Platform Access, DER (Distributed Energy Resources) Optimization is a tabbed workflow that combines a sizing-reference layer with a top-level optimization model. It determines the optimal capacity mix and dispatch strategy for an integrated CHP + BESS + thermal energy storage (TES) + solar PV microgrid. The optimizer minimizes lifecycle cost for your specific load profile and tariff structure.

Yes. The CHP Module supports hydrogen blending in natural-gas-fired CHP units. You can specify a blend ratio and the platform handles the fuel-mapping for the selected technology (RICE, gas turbine, microturbine, or fuel cell). This lets you evaluate near-term H2 transition pathways alongside conventional natural gas operation.

Yes. The Boiler Module supports thermal energy storage (TES) co-dispatch. The simulation finds the optimal charge/discharge schedule across 8,760 hours so the TES tank shifts heating load away from peak tariff periods, smooths load on the boiler, and reduces lifecycle cost. TES co-dispatch can be combined with multi-unit boiler sequencing.

Yes. The CHP Module models waste-heat capture revenue (Energy-as-a-Service / EaaS) and integrates it directly into the financial TEA report. If your CHP installation sells thermal output (steam, hot water, or chilled water via absorption) to a host facility under a thermal-energy contract, the platform captures that revenue stream alongside electricity sales and avoided utility costs.

Yes. The CHP Module produces a P&ID schematic showing thermal mains, electric paths, absorption chiller branch routing, and multi-unit configurations. The diagram updates automatically as you add or remove units (CHP, supplemental boilers, TES, absorption chillers) and is included in the print-ready TEA report.

Yes. CogenS™ can model utility power outages and evaluate how your CHP, BESS, and microgrid configuration maintains critical loads during grid disruptions. Grid-outage hours are flagged on DER sizing and TEA report area plots, so you can visually see where the microgrid is islanding versus drawing from the utility.

Yes. Every project includes emissions analysis using pre-loaded grid carbon intensity factors by location and fuel type. Results include CO2 reduction versus business-as-usual, supporting sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance.

CogenS™ is a technoeconomic analysis platform, not a full building energy model, detailed mechanical design tool, or utility-scale grid simulator. It does not replace tools like EnergyPlus for building envelope modeling, or detailed CFD/FEA design software. It is best used for feasibility, concept design, equipment selection, and financial justification — not final engineering drawings.

CogenS™ includes weather data (TMY hourly profiles with dry/wet bulb temperature, humidity, HDD/CDD) for 340+ cities across 24 countries, multi-tier utility rate structures (electric, gas, oil, water) with TOU rates and demand charges, 8,760-hour reference load profiles for 30+ building types, equipment vendor databases for all modules (hundreds of manufacturer models with performance curves and costs), and pre-loaded financial defaults (CAPEX, O&M) auto-converted to 40+ currencies.

Yes. You can upload custom 8,760-hour load profiles for electrical, heating, cooling, and DHW demand — or use the pre-loaded reference profiles for any of 30+ building types, automatically climate-adjusted for your specific location.

Yes. While pre-loaded tariffs are provided for 340+ cities, you can override any rate structure — electric, gas, oil, water — with your specific utility's TOU rates, demand charges, standby fees, and incentives. Saved custom tariffs become reusable across all your projects.

RateAcuity is a premium add-on ($50/month) that pulls live US and Canada utility tariffs (electric and natural gas) directly from current utility filings. Instead of estimating a rate, you fetch the real, current rate schedule for the utility serving your project. The add-on includes 10 live pulls per month; additional pulls are $10 each, and same-day repeat pulls are free for 24 hours. Saved tariffs are reusable across all projects. RateAcuity stacks on any paid base plan.

The equipment database is continuously updated with new manufacturer models, performance curves, and pricing. Current coverage includes 118+ CHP models from 24 manufacturers, 100+ DHW heater models, and full catalogs for boilers, chillers, and cooling towers. Manufacturers can partner with us to get their products listed.

CogenS™ uses Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) hourly data including dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, and relative humidity. For non-US cities without direct TMY coverage, the platform uses climate zone matching to select a similar US city profile with hemisphere correction.

CogenS™ offers four plans: Free (includes 5 TEA runs with all modules), Thermal Systems Suite at $300/month (boilers, DHW, chillers, cooling towers, unlimited runs), CHP Module at $400/month (CHP + DER optimization + hydrogen blending), and Full Platform Access at $650/month (all modules). Annual billing saves approximately 17%. The RateAcuity Live Tariffs premium add-on is available for $50/month on any paid plan. Enterprise plans with custom pricing are available for teams.

RateAcuity ($50/month) stacks on top of any paid base plan and is billed monthly only — no annual option. The base subscription includes 10 live tariff pulls per month; additional pulls are billed at $10 each. Same-day repeat pulls of the same tariff are free for 24 hours, so iterative analysis on a single project doesn't burn through your pulls.

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade from within the app at any time. Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades apply at your next billing cycle.

Yes. Discounted pricing is available for verified academic institutions, accredited universities, and qualifying nonprofits. Contact sales to verify eligibility.

We accept all major credit cards via Stripe. Enterprise customers can pay by invoice with annual billing. All prices are in USD; the platform auto-converts financial outputs to 40+ currencies for international projects.

All paid plans include email support with responses within 3 business days. The Enterprise plan includes dedicated support with weekly video calls, priority bug fixes, feature request consideration, and direct access to our engineering team.

Yes. All project data is stored on encrypted cloud infrastructure. Each user has a private project environment; data is never shared between accounts unless explicitly enabled for team collaboration in the Enterprise plan.

Yes. All plans generate TEA reports with charts and tables you can view in-app. Paid plans export print-ready PDF reports. Full Platform and Enterprise plans include custom-branded report templates.

Yes, via the Enterprise plan. Enterprise customers get multi-user access with a shared project environment, centralized view of all team projects, dedicated equipment databases, and priority support.

CogenS™ is developed by JIS Energy, a U.S.-based energy technology company founded by Jack Souweha, PE. Jack brings extensive background in HVAC, building automation, and integrated energy systems. The platform reflects decades of practical engineering experience combined with modern software design.

CogenS™ modeling libraries are built on peer-reviewed standards and references including U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) publications, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) models (including the PVWatts API for solar PV), ASHRAE standards for HVAC performance, and equipment manufacturer specifications and performance curves. Cooling tower modeling uses industry-standard CoolTools and YorkCalc performance coefficients.

JIS Energy is headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA. We serve customers worldwide across 44+ countries.

Email us at [email protected] or call +1 (978) 473-5959 during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm CT). You can also reach out through our Contact page.