From Distributed Energy Resources to Virtual Power Plants: A Cyber-Physical System Solution for Integrating Demand-side in Smart Grid

Distributed Energy Resources(DERs) will be an important part of the future power system under the spread of distributed renewable energy generation, electric vehicles, demand response and other technologies. Cyber-physical system (CPS) is one of the development directions for the future smart grid to integrate the widespread DERs. First, this paper presents the basic architecture and operation process of virtual power plant (VPP). Then the solution of communication structure and software platform are proposed. It is pointed out that virtual power plants have good applicability in information and communication infrastructure, power market and DER integration. Finally, a demonstration program in China is introduced. The research and application of virtual power plant is currently in its embryonic form. It provides a solution for the transmission from centralized power production to the distributed energy utilization, and is an adequate way to integrate geographical dispersion, heterogeneous DERs.