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Energy & Utilities · head to head

HOMER Energy vs Sea Machines

HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy & Utilities

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Maritime & Shipping

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HOMER Energy and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where HOMER Energy and Sea Machines differ
AttributeHOMER EnergySea Machines
Starting priceFree$50000/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, WebEmbedded, Web, Mobile
CategoryEnergy & UtilitiesMaritime & Shipping
Founded20092015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

Only in Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot Sea Machines
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot Sea Machines
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot Sea Machines
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot Sea Machines
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot HOMER Energy
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot HOMER Energy
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot HOMER Energy
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot HOMER Energy
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot HOMER Energy

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

Pricing, plan by plan

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

Which should you pick?

Choose HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Choose Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is HOMER Energy or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. HOMER Energy starts at Free and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HOMER Energy or Sea Machines?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HOMER Energy and $50000/one-time for Sea Machines.
Does HOMER Energy or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
What is HOMER Energy best used for?
HOMER Energy is most often used for sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems, modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations, electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and ev charging, utility-scale storage investment analysis. Of those, sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems and modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations are not what Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can HOMER Energy do that Sea Machines cannot?
HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Both handle Web support.
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