Virtual Power Plants in New Power Systems: Exploration and Practice

This document explores the concept and practical implementation of virtual power plants (VPPs) within new power systems, presented by Dong Wenjie of Oriental Electronics Co., Ltd. A VPP is an 'invisible power plant' leveraging Energy Internet Technology to aggregate and intelligently control massive user-side resources, addressing grid challenges like intermittent renewable energy, load uncertainty, and peak-valley differences. It enables flexible, cost-effective adjustments—reducing consumption during shortages and increasing it during surplus renewable generation. The document outlines policy support, including China's National Development and Reform Commission recognizing VPPs as power trading entities from June 2024, and Shandong's specific rules for VPP market participation. Construction requirements include a smart management platform with load regulation capabilities, a user-side resource pool of at least 5 MW adjustable capacity per unit with one-hour continuous adjustment, integration with local dispatch systems, and passing grid capability tests. The overall architecture features a VPP intelligent management platform with modules for retail contracts, resource management, monitoring, forecasting, and settlement. Resource pools are categorized into generation/storage units (aggregating distributed PV, wind, or storage) and load units (full electric load or adjustable load types), each with specific aggregation and settlement rules for market participation.