This paper is devoted to the analysis of modern approaches to the use of cloud technologies in hybrid and virtual power plants, including the assessment of their functional capabilities, advantages, and limitations, as well as practical examples of implementing such solutions in different countries.
Decarbonization and the transition to sustainable energy are becoming increasingly common strategies, with hybrid and virtual power plants emerging as key solutions integrating renewable energy sources, storage systems, and intelligent control technologies. However, the efficient operation of such systems requires a high degree of automation, real-time big data processing, and adaptive management. The paper highlights the advantages of cloud computing, such as centralized access to computing resources, flexible scalability, data storage, and the integration of artificial intelligence. By leveraging cloud platforms, energy companies can forecast generation and consumption, perform real-time load balancing, and efficiently manage distributed energy resources regardless of location.
The study also describes relevant technologies, including both general-purpose infrastructure cloud services (such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) and specialized solutions designed specifically for the needs of energy systems (such as Siemens DEOP, AutoGrid Flex, Next Kraftwerke VPP, and Piclo Flex).
- Lund, H., Østergaard, P. A., Connolly, D., & Mathiesen, B. V. Smart energy and smart energy systems. Energy, 137, 556–565, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.05.123
- Fang, X., Misra, S., Xue, G., & Yang, D. Smart Grid—The New and Improved Power Grid: A Survey. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 14(4), 944–980, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1109/SURV.2011.101911.00087
- Ghosh, S., Goswami, A. K., & Sinha, A. Smart Energy Systems: Architecture, Technologies, and Applications. Springer, 2022.
- Simmhan, Y., Aman, S., Ravindra, P., et al. Cloud-based software platform for big data analytics in smart grids. Computing in Science & Engineering, 15(4), 38–47, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCSE.2013.59
- Dragicevic, T., Lu, X., Vasquez, J. C., & Guerrero, J. M. DC microgrids – Part II: A review of power architectures, applications, and standardization issues. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 31(5), 3528–3549, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2015.2464277
- Van Leeuwen, R. P., & Van der Veen, R. A. Virtual power plants: Definition, applications and barriers to deployment. Journal of Energy Storage, 44, 103490, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.103490
- North, C., et al. Coordinated operation of virtual power plants in active distribution networks. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 127, 109879, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109879
- U.S. Department of Energy. The Role of Virtual Power Plants in a Decarbonized Grid. Office of Electricity, 2022. https://www.energy.gov/oe/articles/role-virtual-power-plants-decarbonize...
- Next Kraftwerke. How virtual power plants balance the grid, Company Report, 2021. https://www.next-kraftwerke.com/knowledge/virtual-power-plant
- Tata Power. Optimizing microgrid operations using cloud analytics, Project Case Study, 2022. https://www.tatapower.com
- Song Zhang, Amritanshu Pandey, Xiaochuan Luo, Maggy Powell, Ranjan Banerji, Abhineet Parchure, Lei Fan, Edgardo Luzcando, Practical Adoption of Cloud Computing in Power Systems – Drivers, Challenges, Guidance, and Real-World Use Cases, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 2390–2411, May 2022, doi: 10.1109/TSG.2022.3148978
- Baccarelli, E., Scarpiniti, M., Shojafar, M., & Abawajy, J. H. Fog of everything: Energy-efficient networked computing architectures, research challenges, and a case study. IEEE Access, 5, 9882–9910, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2704081
- Gungor, V. C., Sahin, D., Kocak, T., et al. Smart grid technologies: Communication technologies and standards. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 7(4), 529–539, 2011.
- Candelise, C., & Winskel, M. Integrating distributed energy resources using cloud platforms: Benefits and risks. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 147, 111203, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111203
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Schematic-diagram-of-ISO-NEs-ML-mode...