Virtual Power Plants for Grid Resilience: A Concise Overview of Research and Applications

The power grid is undergoing a transformation from synchronous generators(SGs) toward inverter-based resources(IBRs). The stochasticity, asynchronicity, and limited-inertia characteristics of IBRs bring about challenges to grid resilience. Virtual power plants(VPPs) are emerging technologies to improve the grid resilience and advance the transformation. By judiciously aggregating geographically distributed energy resources(DERs) as individual electrical entities, VPPs can provide capacity and ancillary services to grid operations and participate in electricity wholesale markets. This paper aims to provide a concise overview of the concept and development of VPPs and the latest progresses in VPP operation, with the focus on VPP scheduling and control. Based on this overview, we identify a few potential challenges in VPP operation and discuss the opportunities of integrating the multi-agent system(MAS)-based strategy into the VPP operation to enhance its scalability, performance and resilience.

GRU-integrated constrained soft actor-critic learning enabled fully distributed scheduling strategy for residential virtual power plant

In this study,a novel residential virtual power plant(RVPP)scheduling method that leverages a gate recurrent unit(GRU)-integrated deep reinforcement learning(DRL)algorithm is proposed.In the proposed scheme,the GRU-integrated DRL algorithm guides the RVPP to participate effectively in both the day-ahead and real-time markets,lowering the electricity purchase costs and consumption risks for end-users.The Lagrangian relaxation technique is introduced to transform the constrained Markov decision process(CMDP)into an unconstrained optimization problem,which guarantees that the constraints are strictly satisfied without determining the penalty coefficients.Furthermore,to enhance the scalability of the constrained soft actor-critic(CSAC)-based RVPP scheduling approach,a fully distributed scheduling architecture was designed to enable plug-and-play in the residential distributed energy resources(RDER).Case studies performed on the constructed RVPP scenario validated the performance of the proposed methodology in enhancing the responsiveness of the RDER to power tariffs,balancing the supply and demand of the power grid,and ensuring customer comfort.

Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading Method of Multi-Virtual Power Plants Based on Non-Cooperative Game

The current electricity market fails to consider the energy consumption characteristics of transaction subjects such as virtual power plants.Besides,the game relationship between transaction subjects needs to be further explored.This paper proposes a Peer-to-Peer energy trading method for multi-virtual power plants based on a non-cooperative game.Firstly,a coordinated control model of public buildings is incorporated into the scheduling framework of the virtual power plant,considering the energy consumption characteristics of users.Secondly,the utility functions of multiple virtual power plants are analyzed,and a non-cooperative game model is established to explore the game relationship between electricity sellers in the Peer-to-Peer transaction process.Finally,the influence of user energy consumption characteristics on the virtual power plant operation and the Peer-to-Peer transaction process is analyzed by case studies.Furthermore,the effect of different parameters on the Nash equilibrium point is explored,and the influence factors of Peer-to-Peer transactions between virtual power plants are summarized.According to the obtained results,compared with the central air conditioning set as constant temperature control strategy,the flexible control strategy proposed in this paper improves the market power of each VPP and the overall revenue of the VPPs.In addition,the upper limit of the service quotation of the market operator have a great impact on the transaction mode of VPPs.When the service quotation decreases gradually,the P2P transaction between VPPs is more likely to occur.

Electricity-Carbon Interactive Optimal Dispatch of Multi-Virtual Power Plant Considering Integrated Demand Response

As new power systems and dual carbon policies develop,virtual power plant cluster(VPPC)provides another reliable way to promote the efficient utilization of energy and solve environmental pollution problems.To solve the coordinated optimal operation and low-carbon economic operation problem in multi-virtual power plant,a multi-virtual power plant(VPP)electricity-carbon interaction optimal scheduling model considering integrated demand response(IDR)is proposed.Firstly,a multi-VPP electricity-carbon interaction framework is established.The interaction of electric energy and carbon quotas can realize energy complementarity,reduce energy waste and promote low-carbon operation.Secondly,in order to coordinate the multiple types of energy and load in VPPC to further achieve low-carbon operation,the IDR mechanism based on the user comprehensive satisfaction(UCS)of electricity,heat as well as hydrogen is designed,which can effectively maintain the UCS in the cluster within a relatively high range.Finally,the unit output scheme is formulated to minimize the total cost of VPPC and the model is solved using theCPLEX solver.The simulation results showthat the proposed method effectively promotes the coordinated operation among multi-VPP,increases the consumption rate of renewable energy sources and the economics of VPPC and reduces carbon emissions.

Stochastic Flexibility Evaluation for Virtual Power Plants by Aggregating Distributed Energy Resources

To manage a large amount of flexible distributed energy resources(DERs)in the distribution networks,the virtual power plant(VPP)is introduced into the industry.The VPP can optimally dispatch these resources in a cluster manner and provide flexibility for the power system operation as a whole.Most existing studies formulate the equivalent power flexibility of the aggregating DERs as deterministic optimization models without considering their uncertainties.In this paper,we introduce the stochastic power flexibility range(PFR)and timecoupling flexibility(TCF)to describe the power flexibility of VPP.In this model,both operational constraints and the randomness of the DERs’output are incorporated,and a combined model and data-driven solution is proposed to obtain the stochastic PFR,TCF,and cost function of VPP.The aggregating model can be easily incorporated into the optimization model for the power system operator or market bidding,considering uncertainties.Finally,a numerical test is performed.The results show that the proposed model not only has higher computational efficiency than the scenario-based methods but also achieves more economic benefits.

Impact of industrial virtual power plant on renewable energy integration

An industrial park is one of the typical en ergy con sumption schemes in power systems owing to the heavy in dustrial loads and their abilities to resp ond to electricity price cha nges.Therefore,en ergy in tegrati on in the industrial sector is significant.Accordingly,the concept of industrial virtual power plant(IVPP)has been proposed to deal with such problems.This study demonstrates an IVPP model to man age resources in an eco-i ndustrial park,including en ergy storage systems,dema nd resp onse(DR)resources,and distributed energies.In addition,fuzzy theory is used to cha nge the deterministic system constraints to fuzzy parameters,considering the uncertainty of renewable energy,and fuzzy chance constraints are then set based on the credibility theory.By maximizi ng the daily ben efits of the IVPP owners in day-ahead markets,DR and energy storage systems can be scheduled economically.Therefore,the energy between the grid and IVPP can flow in both directions:the surplus renewable electricity of IVPP can be sold in the market;when the electricity gen erated in side IVPP is not enough for its use,IVPP can also purchase power through the market.Case studies based on three win d-level scenarios dem on strate the efficie nt syn ergies betwee n IVPP resources.The validatio n results indicate that IVPP can optimize the supply and demand resources in in dustrial parks,thereby decarbonizing the power systems.

Optimal Energy Management for Virtual Power Plant with Renewable Generation

The nature of variable and uncertainty from renewable energy sources (RESs) makes them challenging to be integrated into the main grid separately. A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is proposed to aggregate the capacities of RESs and facilitate the integration and management in a decentralized manner. In this paper, a novel framework for optimal energy management of VPP considering key features such as handling uncertainties with RESs, reducing operating costs and regulating system voltage levels is proposed, and a two-stage stochastic simulation is formulated to address the uncertainties of RESs generation and electricity prices. Simulation result show that the framework can benefit from ensuring the energy balance and system security, as well as reducing the operation costs.

Battery Energy Storage System and Demand Response Based Optimal Virtual Power Plant Operation

With certain controllability of various distribution energy resources (DERs) such as battery energy storage system (BESS), demand response (DR) and distributed generations (DGs), virtual power plant (VPP) can suitably regulate the powers access to the distribution network. In this paper, an optimal VPP operating problem is used to optimize the charging/discharging schedule of each BESS and the DR scheme with the objective to maximize the benefit by regulating the supplied powers over daily 24 hours. The proposed solution method is composed of an iterative dynamic programming optimal BESS schedule approach and a particle swarm optimization based (PSO-based) DR scheme approach. The two approaches are executed alternatively until the minimum elec-tricity cost of the whole day is obtained. The validity of the proposed method was confirmed with the obviously decreased supplied powers in the peak-load hours and the largely reduced electricity cost.

Distributionally Robust Optimal Dispatch of Virtual Power Plant Based on Moment of Renewable Energy Resource

Virtual power plants can effectively integrate different types of distributed energy resources,which have become a new operation mode with substantial advantages such as high flexibility,adaptability,and economy.This paper proposes a distributionally robust optimal dispatch approach for virtual power plants to determine an optimal day-ahead dispatch under uncertainties of renewable energy sources.The proposed distributionally robust approach characterizes probability distributions of renewable power output by moments.In this regard,the faults of stochastic optimization and traditional robust optimization can be overcome.Firstly,a second-order cone-based ambiguity set that incorporates the first and second moments of renewable power output is constructed,and a day-ahead two-stage distributionally robust optimization model is proposed for virtual power plants participating in day-ahead electricity markets.Then,an effective solution method based on the affine policy and second-order cone duality theory is employed to reformulate the proposed model into a deterministic mixed-integer second-order cone programming problem,which improves the computational efficiency of the model.Finally,the numerical results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a better balance between robustness and economy.They also validate that the dispatch strategy of virtual power plants can be adjusted to reduce costs according to the moment information of renewable power output.

Optimal Control and Bidding Strategy of Virtual Power Plant with Renewable Generation

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP), aggregating the capacities of distributed energy resources (DER) as a single profile, provides presence of DERs in the electricity market. In this paper, a stochastic bidding model is proposed for the VPP to optimise the bids in the day-ahead and balancing market, with the objective to maximise its expected economic profit. The performance of proposed strategy has been assessed in a modified commercial VPP (CVPP) system with wind generation installed, and also the results are compared with the ones achieved from other commonly-used strategies to verify its feasibility.

Energy Management System with Power Offering Strategy for a Microgrid Integrated VPP

In the context of both the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and microgrid(MG), the Energy Management System (EMS) is a key decision-maker forintegrating Distributed renewable Energy Resources (DERs) efficiently. TheEMS is regarded as a strong enabler of providing the optimized schedulingcontrol in operation and management of usage of disperse DERs and RenewableEnergy reSources (RES) such as a small-size wind-turbine (WT) andphotovoltaic (PV) energies. The main objective to be pursued by the EMSis the minimization of the overall operating cost of the MG integrated VPPnetwork. However, the minimization of the power peaks is a new objective andopen issue to a well-functional EMS, along with the maximization of profitin the energy market. Thus, both objectives have to be taken into accountat the same time. Thus, this paper proposes the EMS application incorporatingpower offering strategy applying a nature-inspired algorithm such asParticle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, in order to find the optimalsolution of the objective function in the context of the overall operating cost,the coordination of DERs, and the energy losses in a MG integrated VPPnetwork. For a fair DERs coordination with minimized power fluctuationsin the power flow, the power offering strategies with an active power controland re-distribution are proposed. Simulation results show that the proposedMG integrated VPP model with PSO-based EMS employing EgalitarianreDistribution (ED) power offering strategy is most feasible option for theoverall operating cost of VPP revenue. The total operating cost of the proposedEMS with ED strategy is 40.98$ compared to 432.8$ of MGs only withoutEMS. It is concluded that each MGs in the proposed VPP model intelligentlyparticipates in energy trading market compliant with the objective function,to minimize the overall cost and the power fluctuation.

电厂锅炉实验虚拟仿真系统建设与应用

为开展能动专业核心课程“锅炉原理”的实验教学,校企合作开发了电厂锅炉实验虚拟仿真系统。基于两相流动与辐射对流传热原理构建的仿真系统,由风烟和汽水两大模型构成,严格遵守质量、能量、动量守恒方程。变负荷虚拟实验显示,随锅炉负荷增加,热效率降低、燃料耗量增加。根据辐射传热原理,结合火焰平均温度计算发现:只有炉膛出口烟温增加,才能保证炉膛传热负荷增加,继而抬升排烟温度,导致排烟热损失变大、锅炉热效率降低。锅炉原理实验虚拟仿真,可训练学生运用锅炉本体热力计算原理分析问题的思维,是落实创新能力培养的重要举措。

基于改进深度Q网络的虚拟电厂实时优化调度

深度强化学习算法以数据为驱动,且不依赖具体模型,能有效应对虚拟电厂运营中的复杂性问题。然而,现有算法难以严格执行操作约束,在实际系统中的应用受到限制。为了克服这一问题,提出了一种基于深度强化学习的改进深度Q网络(improved deep Q-network,MDQN)算法。该算法将深度神经网络表达为混合整数规划公式,以确保在动作空间内严格执行所有操作约束,从而保证了所制定的调度在实际运行中的可行性。此外,还进行了敏感性分析,以灵活地调整超参数,为算法的优化提供了更大的灵活性。最后,通过对比实验验证了MDQN算法的优越性能。该算法为应对虚拟电厂运营中的复杂性问题提供了一种有效的解决方案。

基于条件风险价值的虚拟电厂参与能量及备用市场的双层随机优化

为充分发挥虚拟电厂的灵活性价值,提出了虚拟电厂参与电能量及备用辅助服务市场的双层随机优化模型。上层基于条件风险价值理论建立了虚拟电厂参与电能量及备用辅助服务市场的两阶段风险决策模型,其中,第一阶段考虑新能源不确定性的潜在风险,建立了虚拟电厂参与能量和备用辅助服务市场的投标报价模型,第二阶段针对不同场景下的新能源出力建立了以虚拟电厂期望运行成本最小为目标的分布式资源优化调度模型;下层在已知各市场主体的投标报价信息后,开展电能量市场及备用辅助服务市场的联合出清。仿真分析表明,所提方法能够有效指导虚拟电厂规避新能源不确定性的潜在风险,并通过将备用价格提高到下一个边际机组的报价从而增加自身利润。

面向综合能源协调的虚拟电厂调控平台设计与规划优化

为解决综合能源协调调度难题,文章提出了基于虚拟电厂调控平台设计和综合能源协调调度模型。通过分析虚拟电厂的基本网架结构,设计了虚拟电厂总体架构,分为资源层、平台层和应用层,并设计了网络架构和数据流架构。基于该架构建立了面向综合能源协调的虚拟电厂调度应用模型。针对模型内光伏、风力发电、电解器、燃料电池、氢气储能、电池储能,以可靠性指标作为切入点,提出了全生命周期内成本最小的目标函数。通过算例分析,验证了文章所提出的模型在可靠性和成本方面的优势。

多组合虚拟电厂中氢储能低碳经济配置与优化

提出蓄电池-氢混合储能虚拟电厂优化运行方案,首先分析各运行单元的特性并建立协同运行优化模型,然后在虚拟电厂应用蓄电池的基础上,增加由电解槽、储氢罐和燃料电池组成的氢能系统,以实现蓄电池与氢能系统混合储能。考虑电价型需求响应和阶梯型碳交易理论,较分析5种不同方案的虚拟电厂的优化运行成本及收益,实例证明蓄电池-氢混合储能的风光虚拟电厂方案具有更好的经济性和低碳性。

基于强化学习的含电动汽车虚拟电厂优化调度

大量电动汽车(EV)用户的无序充电可能造成电网负荷剧烈波动,危及电网的安全稳定。随着EV入网(V2G)技术的应用,将EV充电站及其周边的分布式新能源发电聚合为虚拟电厂(VPP)后进行优化调度,有助于改善EV用户充放电的经济性及满意度,同时提高分布式新能源的利用率,平抑电网负荷波动,但EV充电站的整体充放电负荷是大量个体EV用户随机行为的聚合,难以用数学模型精确描述。针对包含EV的VPP,提出一种基于深度强化学习的交互式调度框架,以最大化VPP内EV用户的总效益。VPP控制中心作为智能体决策EV个体的充放电动作,无需掌握个体详细模型,而是通过与区域电网环境的交互,不断学习和更新动作策略,从而克服集中式优化方法的局限性。该优化调度框架采用深度确定性策略梯度(DDPG)算法进行求解。仿真结果表明,与集中式优化方法相比,该优化算法提高了各EV用户的效益,并使EV充放电负荷与分布式新能源发电协调配合实现削峰填谷,改善了VPP的整体运行性能。

考虑P2G及碳捕集的热电联产虚拟电厂低碳优化调度

在碳达峰碳中和的政策方针背景下,北方地区的冬季由于需要供热,使得热电联产机组(combined heat and power,CHP)强迫出力,限制了新能源的消纳与碳减排的能力。利用碳捕集与封存(carbon capture and storage,CCS)技术将热电联产机组产生的CO_(2)捕捉并封存,将新能源发电通过电转气(power to gas,P2G)产生氢能并与捕集到的CO_(2)反应生成CH_(4),热电联产的燃气轮机使用合成的CH_(4)并掺入一定比例的H_(2)进行燃烧,循环使用CO_(2),减少碳排放并增加收益,进一步提高虚拟电厂参与电力市场的经济性与低碳性,促进新能源消纳,并保障北方冬季的供热量。建立了考虑P2G及碳捕集的热电联产虚拟电厂的数学模型,并通过MATLAB调用CPLEX求解器进行求解,仿真结果验证了所建模型的有效性。