Innovative Energy Solutions: The Role of Virtual Power Plants in Energy Storage and Intelligent Scheduling

Yongfu Shuneng: Energy Storage Aggregation and Intelligent Scheduling Under Virtual Power Plants

On April 11, the 13th International Energy Storage Summit and Exhibition held a special forum on energy storage design and solutions at the Beijing Capital International Exhibition Center. This forum included four major sessions covering battery technology, grid-type energy storage, system integration, and digital intelligence technologies. Over 40 leaders from leading energy storage companies and industry experts gathered to discuss cutting-edge technologies, development trends, and future challenges in the energy storage sector.

Guided by the national strategic goals of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality,” the deep integration of digital technologies with energy storage systems is redefining the future of energy storage and management. In the afternoon of April 11, during the digital intelligence technology session, Chief Engineer Lu Jiashun of Yongfu Shuneng delivered a presentation titled “Energy Storage Aggregation and Intelligent Scheduling Under Virtual Power Plants.” Lu stated that the accelerated energy transition, characterized by large-scale integration of distributed energy sources such as wind and solar power, brings significant operational challenges due to their intermittent and fluctuating nature, which poses serious tests to grid safety and stability.

The relationship between virtual power plants and energy storage collaborative control is evolving from simple “energy storage access” to “deep intelligent integration,” becoming a critical supporting technology for constructing a new power system. What is a virtual power plant? It is not a traditional physical power plant; rather, it is a software system that utilizes advanced information and communication technologies to integrate scattered renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, along with industrial loads, charging stations, air conditioning, and energy storage devices across different regions and clients. This integration allows for unified, precise smart control and coordinated optimization, enabling participation in power market and grid operation management.

Lu emphasized that the collaboration between virtual power plants and energy storage holds tremendous opportunities as well as challenges in terms of data interconnectivity and system coordination. Achieving optimal control outcomes requires a high level of synchronization between the control strategies of energy storage systems and virtual power plants.

He identified four core elements crucial for the integration of virtual power plants and energy storage: low-latency, high-interaction distributed energy storage communication technologies; coordinated decision-making optimization capabilities for large-scale distributed resources; flexible and variable market participation strategies; and the development of cloud-based virtual power plant management and control platforms. In conclusion, he emphasized the innovative and practical applications of Yongfu Shuneng’s virtual power plant big data platform in conjunction with energy storage.

The Yongfu Shuneng virtual power plant big data platform is designed specifically for aggregators and supports both local and cloud deployment, fully meeting the needs of grid regulation and market operation. It offers real-time monitoring capabilities covering distributed power sources, user-side resources, and energy storage stations, allowing managers to grasp the operational status of the system. Based on an in-depth analysis of load resource statuses and control methods, the platform can quickly respond to grid demands while optimizing energy dispatch based on factors such as weather and policies. Additionally, it integrates load-side resources, enabling efficient interaction between users and the grid through demand response and load control, thereby enhancing the efficiency and economics of power supply.

In the dynamic and ever-changing electricity market, the Yongfu Shuneng virtual power plant big data platform can swiftly respond to real-time changes in demand and prices, adjusting operational strategies for energy resources effectively to mitigate market fluctuations and reduce operational costs. This not only provides a more stable and reliable electricity supply for the power system but also creates significant economic benefits for customers.

Currently, the Yongfu Shuneng virtual power plant big data platform has established a demonstration pilot project in Suqian, Jiangsu, showcasing its value in managing parks and grids under virtual power plant operations. It offers services such as electricity trading custody, virtual power plant operation, and carbon trading, achieving cost reduction and efficiency enhancement, as well as zero-carbon green electricity.

In the face of the energy transition wave, Yongfu Shuneng remains driven by innovation, supported by quality, and market-oriented, continuously researching and exploring digital energy technology fields. The company is committed to enhancing the quality of its products and services, thereby empowering high-quality development in the energy storage industry.