In China’s progressive journey towards sustainable energy, virtual power plants emerge as game-changers, facilitating energy savings and championing the shift towards greener alternatives.
Invisible Power Facilities
Virtual power plants serve as invisible hubs, orchestrating the integration of diverse electricity users, distributed power sources, and energy storage providers. This orchestration ensures a delicate balance between power generation and consumption.
Cong Zhipeng, from the State Grid Corporation of China, highlights the complexities of wind and solar power generation. Variations in wind speed and sunlight intensity pose challenges in regulating power systems due to their intermittent nature.
Rapid Expansion of Renewable Energy
China’s renewable energy infrastructure is rapidly expanding, with an increasing proportion of installed capacity sourced from renewables. However, this growth underscores the pressing need for balance and security within the electrical grid system.
By maximizing the regulatory capabilities of virtual power plants, operational costs witness significant reductions. A smart control platform in Yantai provides real-time monitoring of resource access, electricity load, and power trading data, streamlining operations.
Integration and Expansion
Dong Wenjie, from Dongfang Electronics Co Ltd, discusses the successful interconnection of a 242,000-kilowatt capacity adjustable load resource pool with State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company and the State Grid’s Yantai branch. Plans for a 500,000-kilowatt resource pool are underway.
Government Support and Future Prospects
Government initiatives, outlined by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, aim to define standards for market access and settlement in distributed new energy sources and virtual power plants. Despite evolving business models, government backing and ongoing innovation signal a promising future for virtual power plants, fostering increased participation and propelling the transition to green energy.
Source：chinadaily.com.cn
