How virtual power plants are shaping tomorrow''s energy system
Here''s what you need to know about VPPs—and why they could be the key to helping us bring more clean power and energy storage online. What are virtual power plants
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) are a network of small energy generation sites—think hundreds of homes with rooftop solar—that are combined with storage technologies like home batteries and electric vehicles to help grid operators manage peak demand, improve affordability, and bolster grid resilience. Here's how VPPs work:
What are virtual power plants and how do they work? A virtual power plant is a system of distributed energy resources—like rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and smart water heaters—that work together to balance energy supply and demand on a large scale. They are usually run by local utility companies who oversee this balancing act.
Virtual power plants (VPPs), integrating multiple distributed energy resources, offer a promising solution for enhancing grid stability and reliability . However, challenges persist in effectively managing the variability of renewable energy generation and ensuring grid stability . Existing research highlights several critical shortcomings:
Virtual Power Plants provide several key advantages for modernizing the grid: These benefits are already being realized in leading states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts. Virtual Power Plants represent a smarter, more adaptive way to operate the grid.
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