Harnessing the Power of Virtual Power Plants: Insights from Espoo and Leipzig

In pursuit of sustainable and resilient energy systems, SPARCS project has been at the forefront of exploring innovative solutions, particularly in the realm of virtual power plants (VPPs). Stakeholders from the SPARCS lighthouse cities of Espoo, Finland, and Leipzig, Germany, shed light on the significance and impact of VPPs on their local energy landscapes. In this article, we delve into fundamental concepts, actions implemented, and the benefits derived from the integration of virtual power plants.

Understanding Virtual Power Plants

Siemens describes a virtual power plant in Espoo as an aggregated entity comprising multiple energy flexibility assets, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC), batteries, and backup generators, scattered across different locations. These flexible assets are connected to interoperable cloud-based platform, collectively forming a virtual power plant. Virtual power plant controls and optimises these assets, enhancing flexibility in the power grid.