Elements¶

Elements are the building blocks of your HAEO energy network. Each element represents a physical device or logical component in your energy system.

Elements and Devices¶

When you configure an element, HAEO may create multiple devices in Home Assistant. Elements can create one or more devices depending on their configuration. Each device has its own set of sensors showing optimization results.

This composition allows HAEO to represent complex physical systems with multiple operational modes while keeping configuration simple. See individual element pages for which devices and sensors each element creates.

For the mathematical details of how elements are modeled, see the Modeling Documentation.

How Elements Work Together¶

Elements work together once you connect them to match your real-world wiring. HAEO balances available energy, expected consumption, and any limits you set so the total system stays within bounds. In a typical home system, solar may feed a common node, the grid can import or export, and a battery shifts energy between time periods.

Example layout:

graph TD
    Solar[Solar] --> Net[Node]
    Grid[Grid] <--> Net
    Net --> Battery[Battery]
    Battery --> Load[Load]

This layout lets HAEO decide when to store solar, rely on the grid, or draw from a battery while keeping every connection within the limits you configured. See the modeling documentation for the underlying mathematics.

Configuration Approach¶

When configuring elements:

1. Start simple: Begin with just a grid and one other element
2. Add gradually: Introduce complexity one element at a time
3. Verify each step: Check that optimization produces reasonable results
4. Use realistic values: Base constraints on actual device specifications

Advanced Elements¶

Some elements are only available when Advanced Mode is enabled on your hub. These elements provide direct access to raw modeling components for advanced users who need fine-grained control.

Advanced elements include:

• Connection: Explicit power flow paths between elements
• Node: Virtual power balance points (with advanced source/sink configuration)
• Battery Section: Direct access to model layer Battery element

Most users should use the standard elements which provide automatic connections and optimized behavior. Advanced elements require manual connection configuration and are intended for users who understand the underlying model layer.

See the Configuration guide for details on enabling Advanced Mode.

Next Steps¶

Explore detailed configuration for each element type: