What is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and why is it important?
A Wholesale Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a centralized system that aggregates decentralized energy resources, functioning collectively as a unified power plant. These VPPs often combine large-scale energy sources such as hydro, wind, and solar.
A prime example is Statkraft in Norway, which operates Europe's largest VPP, delivering approximately 10GW of electricity. This operation relies on a sophisticated blend of computer algorithms and energy trader oversight from a central control hub.
Statkraft's Unity system performs billions of calculations annually, directing devices in real-time to adapt to the fluctuating availability of wind and solar resources.
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