In the era of smart devices and virtual communications, we are witnessing the rise of a new concept that could help transform energy production and distribution forever. Virtual power plants are decentralised networks of individual assets that are controlled in real-time by sophisticated software applications, managing many disparate processes within the same framework. Excess energy is redirected towards the parts of the network where the demand is the greatest, ensuring rational utilisation and preventing bottlenecks from occurring during those times.

EnviroTech is at the forefront of this wave of innovation! If you are just getting familiar with virtual power plants, here are the basics: 

What are virtual power plants?

Inspired by decentralised data-sharing applications and distributed computing principles, virtual power plants are not physically located in the same place, but are consisted of assets that can be scattered over a wide geographic area. A virtual power plant typically includes at least one renewable energy source (wind, solar…), energy storage facilities, as well as several smart buildings connected into a mini-grid. The main idea is to rely primarily on existing resources, rather than investing in developing new capacities from scratch. Some people define virtual power plants as ‘the internet of energy’, where the electrical appliances take the place of computers and the overlaid infrastructure facilitates instant communication between them.

Why virtual powers plants are a great idea

A large portion of electricity is currently wasted, forcing companies to spend more to satisfy their energy needs while their carbon footprint continues to grow. Virtual power plants were conceived as an energy-saving measure, and they are increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than a choice. With recent advances in the field of artificial intelligence, this idea can now be realised in an effective and user-friendly manner, with specialised software that eliminates the need for direct oversight. At the same time, the entry barriers are very low and smaller companies can join just as easily as larger ones. As smart buildings become more common, this concept is certain to become more popular, so adopting it now can jumpstart the process and allow companies to take full control of their energy.

How businesses can benefit from this concept

Virtual power plants are already being embraced by some of the largest enterprises in the world. Siemens and Mitsubishi recently started large projects of this type intending to balance the loads, stabilise the supply and make energy consumption more cost-efficient. While those projects are admittedly still in early stages, they provide high-profile examples for virtual power plants and illustrate how they can be used to great effect.

EnviroTech has the know-how and the human resources to play the role of technology partner and ensure that any transition phase goes as smoothly as possible. By joining a distributed network, our customers can achieve significant savings and prevent untimely outages while also helping to reduce pollution.