Patent ID: 12237676

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The scheme described in the specification is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, simply by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

Further, in the drawings, a size and thickness of each element are randomly represented for better understanding and ease of description, and the present invention is not limited thereto and the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity.

In the entire specification, in addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components, and combinations thereof.

In addition, unless defined otherwise in the detailed description, all the terms including technical and scientific terms have the same meaning as meanings generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Generally used terms such as terms defined in a dictionary should be interpreted as the same meanings as meanings within a context of the related art and should not be interpreted as ideally or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present specification.

Further, in the description of the present exemplary embodiment, if it is determined that the detailed description on the technology well-known in the art and the constitution may unnecessarily cloud the concept of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

Hereinafter, a virtual power plant system and a virtual power plant operation method using a virtual power plant output adjustment device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.1to14.

FIG.1is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a virtual power plant system using a virtual power plant output adjustment device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a power system10and a virtual power plant system, only schematic configurations required for description according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are illustrated and the present invention is not limited to the configurations.

Referring toFIG.1, a virtual power plant (hereinafter, VPP) system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is connected with a power exchange (hereinafter, PX)20of a power system10.

In addition, the virtual power plant system includes various types of Distributed Energy Resource (DER)110connected to the virtual power plant (VPP)100. And, the virtual power plant system may supply the power produced from the distributed energy resource110to the power system10.

In addition, the power exchange20operates electricity market to supply the power produced by the plurality of power plants12-1to12-nof the power system10through the transmission substation14and the distribution substation16to power users.

In addition, the distributed energy resource110may include at least one of a wind power generator, a solar power generator, a geothermal power generator, a fuel battery, a bio energy, a marine energy, or a variable power source whose output cannot be adjusted.

Further, the virtual power plant system may conduct a bidding with the power exchange20, and supply some of the power produced by the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mto the power system10.

In addition, the virtual power plant system may conduct a bidding with the power exchange20through the virtual power plant management device200. The virtual power plant management device200may determine a VPP bidding power generation amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10. Herein, the VPP bidding power generation amount includes a power supply amount or power output amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during the bidding period.

In addition, the virtual power plant system may supply some of the power produced by the plurality of the distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100to the power system10according to the VPP bidding power generation amount.

For example, the virtual power plant management device200may execute a bid by predicting the amount of power generated by the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m. In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may determine a VPP bidding power generation amount by subtracting the power consumption consumed by the load120in the virtual power plant100from the predicted power generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m. In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may predict the power demand amount of the load disposed in the virtual power plant100, and analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100based on the power demand amount.

And, the virtual power plant management device200may stabilize the output fluctuation of the virtual power plant100by controlling the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment system300based on the analysis result of the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100.

The virtual power plant output adjustment system300may be disposed in the virtual power plant100. In addition, the virtual power plant output adjustment system300may convert into heat by consuming power generated from a plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100through the virtual power plant output adjustment device310. Further, the virtual power plant output adjustment system300may generate power through the virtual power plant output control device310and supply it to the virtual power plant100.

For example, the virtual power plant output adjustment device310may include a heat conversion device receiving a portion of the power produced from the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mand converting it into thermal energy, and a renewable combined heat and power plant that generates electricity using a renewable energy source.

The heat conversion device and the renewable combined heat and power plant of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310have advantages of low cost and high responsiveness, unlike conventional ESS (Energy storage system) or pumped-water power plants. Further, the virtual power plant output adjustment device310is easy to install around the distributed energy resource110or the virtual power plant100, and has the advantage of low restrictions on the installation area.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may analyze information on the amount of response that the distributed energy resources may additionally generate in order to respond to an output change of a variable power source connected to the virtual power plant100.

Herein, the information on the amount of response may include a response amount at which the distributed energy resources connected to the virtual power plant100can additionally generate power in order to respond to an output variation of a variable power source (eg, a new renewable energy source) connected to the virtual power plant100. And the information on the amount of response may include a response rate at which the distributed energy resources can additionally generate power in order to respond to an output variation of the variable power source.

In addition, the response amount includes the amount of power that the distributed energy resources connected to the virtual power plant100can additionally generate in order to respond to output fluctuations of the variable power source (eg, a new and renewable energy source) connected to the virtual power plant100. And, the response rate includes a power generation rate at which distributed energy resources connected to the virtual power plant100can additionally generate power in response to an output change of the variable power source connected to the virtual power plant100. In this case, the response amount and the response speed may include ramp rate characteristic information of the distributed energy resources.

And, when the output of the variable power is reduced and the power supply in the virtual power plant100is smaller than the power demand of a load disposed in the virtual power plant100, the virtual power plant management device200may adjust the amount of power consumption or power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310. Also when the response amount or response speed of the distributed energy plants does not satisfy the power demand amount of the load disposed in the virtual power plant, the virtual power plant management device200may adjust the amount of power consumption or power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310.

For example, when the power supply in the virtual power plant100is smaller than the power demand of a load disposed in the virtual power plant100due to a decrease in the output of the variable power source, the heat conversion device of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310may control to reduce the amount of power consumption, or the renewable combined heat and power plant of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310may control to increase the amount of power generation. Alternatively, when the response amount or response speed of the distributed energy resources does not meet the power demand amount of the load disposed in the virtual power plant, the heat conversion device of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310may control to reduce the amount of power consumption, or the renewable combined heat and power plant of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310may control to increase the amount of power generation.

Further, to respond to the output change of the variable power source connected to the virtual power plant100, the virtual power plant management device200may analyze the response amount information that the renewable combined heat and power plant of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310may additionally generate power.

And, when the output of the variable power connected to the virtual power plant100is reduced and the power supply in the virtual power plant100is smaller than the power demand of a load disposed in the virtual power plant100, the virtual power plant management device200may control the heat production amount of the heat conversion device based on the response amount information of the renewable combined heat and power plant of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310or may control the power generation amount of the renewable combined heat and power plant.

FIG.2is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual power plant management device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the virtual power plant management device200, only schematic configurations required for description according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are illustrated and the present invention is not limited to the configurations.

Referring toFIG.2, a virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention predicts the expected power generation amount of a plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100, and proceeds a bidding with the power exchange20.

In addition, the virtual power plant management apparatus200may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m. Also, the virtual power plant management apparatus200may stabilize the output fluctuation of the virtual power plant100by controlling the VPP output adjustment system300based on the analysis result.

The virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a VPP control module210, a transmitting/receiving module220, a bidding module230, a monitoring module240, an analysis module250, and a VPP output adjustment module260.

The VPP control module210may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mand the demand variation of the load120. Also, The VPP control module210may control the operation of each unit to stabilize the output fluctuation of the virtual power plant by controlling the VPP output adjustment system300based on the analysis result.

The transmitting/receiving module220may transmit virtual power plant information to the power exchange20and receive power system information and power system analysis information from the power exchange20.

For example, the virtual power plant information includes power generation information of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m, power consumption information of the load120, and the like. In addition, the transmitting/receiving module220may transmit the metered data measured by the virtual power plant100to the power exchange20.

In addition, the transmitting/receiving module220may receive power system information and power system analysis information from the power exchange20. Herein, the power system information and power system analysis information may include the ramp rate characteristic information of the generators12connected to the power system10, the system frequency information of the power system10, power supply and demand information of the power system10, net load information by the variable power source of the power system10, response amount information by the variable power source, new and renewable output fluctuation information connected to the power system10, and reserve power of the power system10information, etc.

Herein, the ramp rate characteristic information is a change in generator output per minute, and includes an evaporation rate of a generator, a desensitization rate of a generator, or a speed adjustment rate of a generator.

And, the system frequency information of the power system10includes a real-time system frequency, a system frequency predicted value, a frequency change rate, or frequency sensitivity. The frequency change rate or frequency sensitivity includes the rate of change or degree of change of the system frequency with time.

And, the frequency change rate may have a positive value (+) or a negative value (−). For example, a case in which the frequency change rate is a positive number may include a case in which the system frequency rapidly increases. And, the case in which the frequency change rate is a negative number may include a case in which the system frequency is sharply decreased.

Further, the power supply and demand information of the power system10includes power supply and demand imbalance of the power system10. Herein, the power supply and demand imbalance of the power system10may include a case where the deviation between the power supply and the power demand of the power system10exceeds the power supply and demand preset value due to a sudden change of a dropout of the generator connected to the power system10, a sudden change in power demand of the power system10, or the output of the variable power source16connected to the power system10.

In addition, the net load information includes a value obtained by subtracting an output amount of a variable power source (eg, a renewable energy source) connected to the power system10from the total load amount of the power system10.

Further, the response amount information may include a response amount value that the generators connected to the power system can additionally generate in order to respond to output fluctuations of a variable power source (eg, a renewable energy source) connected to the power system10, or may include a response rate at which the generator can additionally generate power in response to fluctuations in the output of the variable power source.

The bidding module230may execute a bid with the power exchange20by predicting the expected power generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m. Further, the bidding module230may analyze the expected power generation amount of each distributed energy resource based on the characteristics and power generation capacity of each distributed energy resource. In addition, the bidding module230may derive the VPP predicted power generation amount by summing the predicted power generation amounts of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m.

Further, the bidding module230may conduct a bidding with the power exchange20based on the VPP expected generation amount and determine the VPP bidding power generation amount. Herein, the VPP expected power generation amount includes the amount of power generation that the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100are expected to generate during the bidding period. In addition, the VPP bidding power generation amount includes the power supply amount or power output amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during the bidding period.

In addition, the bidding module230according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a distributed energy resource power generation prediction unit232, a VPP power generation calculation unit234, and a VPP bidding amount determination unit236.

The distributed energy resource power generation prediction unit232may analyze the expected generation amount of each distributed energy resource based on the characteristics and generation capacity of each distributed energy resource. In addition, the distributed energy resource power generation prediction unit232may predict the amount of power generation that the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mcan generate at a specific point in time or during a bidding period based on the expected power generation amount of each distributed energy resource.

The VPP power generation calculation unit234may derive the VPP expected power generation amount that can be generated in the virtual power plant100by summing the predicted power generation amounts of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m.

In addition, the VPP bidding amount determination unit236may determine the VPP bidding generation amount based on the VPP expected power generation amount. Further, the VPP bidding generation determination unit236may determine the VPP bidding generation amount by subtracting the power consumption expected to be consumed by the load120of the virtual power plant100for a predetermined period from the VPP expected power generation amount.

The monitoring module240may monitor the power generation amount of the distributed energy resource110connected to the virtual power plant100and the power usage amount of the load120disposed in the virtual power plant100in real time.

For example, the monitoring module240may monitor the actual power generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-min real time. In addition, the monitoring module240may monitor the amount of power generation of the individual distributed energy resource110, the amount of change in the amount of power generation, and the rate of change in the amount of power generation in real time.

Further, the monitoring module240may monitor in real time the amount of electricity used, the amount of change in the amount of electricity used and the rate of change in the amount of electricity used of the load120connected to the virtual power plant100.

In addition, the monitoring module240according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a distributed energy resource monitoring unit242and a VPP monitoring unit244.

The distributed energy resource monitoring unit242may monitor the actual power generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100in real time. In addition, the distributed energy resource monitoring unit242may monitor the amount of power generation, the amount of change in the amount of power generation, and the rate of change in the amount of power generation of the individual distributed energy resource110in real time.

The VPP monitoring unit244may monitor the amount of power generation and power consumption of the virtual power plant100in real time. Further, the VPP monitoring unit244may monitor a total amount of power generated by the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mof the virtual power plant100and a total amount of power used by the load120of the virtual power plant100in real time.

For example, the VPP monitoring unit244may monitor the amount of surplus power of the virtual power plant100in real time. Herein, the amount of surplus power may include a value obtained by subtracting the total amount of power generated by the load120of the virtual power plant100from the total power generated by the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mof the virtual power plant100.

In addition, the analysis module250may analyze the output variation of the individual distributed energy resource110. Further, the analysis module250may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mbased on the virtual power plant information of the virtual power plant100.

Further, the analysis module250may analyze changes in system frequency, power supply and demand imbalance, net load information, response amount information, and output information of the renewable energy source of the power system10based on the power system information received from the transmitting/receiving module220.

In addition, the analysis module250according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a distributed energy resource analysis unit252and a VPP analysis unit254.

The distributed energy resource analysis unit252may analyze the output variation of the individual distributed energy resource110and the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mbased on the actual power generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mmonitored by the monitoring module240.

And, the VPP analysis unit254may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mand the demand variation of the load120.

Further, the VPP analysis unit254may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mbased on the amount of surplus power of the virtual power plant100monitored by the monitoring module240.

In addition, the VPP analysis unit254may predict the demand response and power demand of the load120disposed in the virtual power plant100, and analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100based on the power demand.

The VPP output adjustment module260may control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment system300based on the analysis result of the analysis module250. Specifically, the VPP output adjustment module260may control the amount of power consumption and power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310. Through this, the VPP output adjustment module260may adjust the amount of output provided from the virtual power plant100to the power system10and stabilize the output fluctuations of the virtual power plant100.

Herein, the VPP output adjustment module260may control the amount of power consumption and power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by using at least one of the VPP bidding power generation amount, the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100, the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and power system information (eg, using at least one of grid frequency, power supply and demand information, reserve power, net load, response amount, new renewable output fluctuation, etc.), and control signals received from outside the virtual power plant (eg, power exchange).

Of course, the VPP output adjustment module260may control the amount of power consumption and power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by considering the VPP bidding power generation amount, the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100, the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and power system information (eg, using at least one of grid frequency, power supply and demand information, reserve power, net load, response amount, new renewable output fluctuation, etc.), and control signals received from outside the virtual power plant (eg, power exchange) in a complex manner.

In addition, the VPP output adjustment module260according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a power consumption controller262and a power generation controller264.

The power consumption control unit262may control the power consumption or heat production of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310based on the VPP bidding power generation amount, the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100, the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, power system information, and a control signal received from the outside of the virtual power plant, etc.

In addition, the generation amount control unit254may control the generation amount of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310based on the VPP bidding power generation amount, the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100, the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, power system information, and a control signal received from the outside of the virtual power plant.

FIG.3is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual power plant output adjustment system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the virtual power plant output adjustment system300, only schematic configurations required for description according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are illustrated and the present invention is not limited to the configurations.

Referring toFIG.3, a virtual power plant output adjustment system300according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a virtual power plant output adjustment device310, a heat storage device340, and a heat supply device350.

In addition, the virtual power plant output adjustment device310according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a heat conversion device320and a renewable combined heat and power plant330.

The heat conversion device320may receive the power generated from the plurality of distributed energy resources, and convert it into heat energy. In addition, the heat conversion device320may supply the converted heat energy to the heat storage device340or the heat supply device350.

Herein, the heat conversion device320may include a boiler or an electric heater. In addition, the heat storage device340may include a heat storage tank for storing the heat energy. Further, the heat supply device350may include a heat pump for supplying the heat energy to a heat load, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the heat conversion device320may store the produced heat energy in a large-capacity heat storage tank and provide it to a heat load disposed in the power system10or the virtual power plant100.

As described above, the present invention provides an environment capable of not only stabilizing the output of the virtual power plant but also preventing the waste of energy sources by storing the heat energy produced by the virtual power plant output adjustment device310in a large capacity and providing it to the heat load.

The renewable combined heat and power plant330is connected to the virtual power plant100and may generate electric power using a new and renewable energy source. In addition, the renewable combined heat and power plant330may supply the generated power to the virtual power plant100or the power system10. In addition, the renewable combined heat and power plant330may generate power using at least one of a wood chip, a fuel cell, or by-product gas.

In addition, the virtual power plant management apparatus200may stabilize the output fluctuation of the virtual power plant due to the output fluctuation of the distributed energy resource110by controlling the power consumption and heat production amount of the heat conversion device320or by adjusting the power generation amount of the renewable heat and power plant330.

For example, the virtual power plant management device200may control the power consumption amount of the heat conversion device320by comparing the VPP expected output amount with the VPP bidding power generation amount. Herein, the VPP expected output amount may include an amount of power expected to be supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during a bidding period.

In addition, the virtual power plant management apparatus200may monitor the amount of power generated by the plurality of distributed energy resources in real time, and derive a VPP power generation amount generated in the virtual power plant100in real time. In addition, the VPP expected output amount may be calculated by subtracting the power consumption amount consumed by the load120of the virtual power plant100from the VPP power generation amount.

At this time, if the VPP expected output amount is greater than the VPP bidding power generation amount, the virtual power plant management device200may increase the power consumption of the heat conversion device320by the difference between the VPP expected output amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount.

Alternatively, when the VPP expected output amount is less than the VPP bidding power generation amount, the virtual power plant management device200may stop the heat production of the heat conversion device320.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may control the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330by comparing the VPP expected output amount with the VPP bidding power generation amount.

At this time, when the VPP expected output amount is smaller than the VPP bidding power generation amount, the virtual power plant management device200may increase the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330by the difference between the VPP expected output amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may detect a system frequency of the power system in real time, and determine the power consumption of the heat conversion device320using the detected system frequency.

Of course, the virtual power plant management device200may detect the system frequency of the power system in real time, and control the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330using the detected system frequency.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may detect the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100in real time, and determine the power consumption of the heat conversion device320using the detected zone frequency.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may detect the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100in real time, and control the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330using the detected zone frequency.

The virtual power plant management device200may monitor the amount of power generation of the individual distributed energy resource110in real time, and adjust the heat production amount of the heat conversion device320based on the amount of power generation of the individual distributed energy resource110in real time.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may analyze the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110in real time, and adjust the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330in real time based on the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110.

The virtual power plant management apparatus200may predict the amount of power generation of the individual distributed energy resources110that can be generated during the bidding period, and determine the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resources110. And, the virtual power plant management device200may compare the individual bid generation amount and the actual generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource, and adjust the power consumption or heat production of the heat conversion device320based on the difference between the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110and the actual power generation amount.

For example, when the actual generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110during the bidding period exceeds the individual bidding generation amount, the virtual power plant management device200may increase the amount of power consumption or heat production of the heat conversion device by the difference between the actual generation amount and the individual biding power generation amount.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may divide the bidding period into a plurality of sections, and derive a section average value of the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110for each section. Then, the virtual power plant management device200may control the heat production amount of the heat conversion device320by comparing the average value of each section for each section with the individual bidding power generation amount.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may predict the average power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resources110that can be generated during the bidding interval, and decide the individual bid power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resources110and based on the predicted average power generation amount.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may adjust the amount of power generation of the renewable cogeneration power plant330based on the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy generation power source110to maintain the output value of the individual distributed energy resource110as the individual bidding power generation amount during the bidding period.

For example, the virtual power plant management device200may increase the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330when the average value of the actual power generation by the individual distributed energy resources during the bidding period is smaller than the individual bidding power generation amount.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may divide the bidding period into a plurality of sections, and derive a section average value of the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110for each section. Then, the virtual power plant management device200may control the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330by comparing the average value of each section for each section with the individual bidding power generation amount.

FIG.4is a flowchart briefly showing a process of conducting a bid by predicting the amount of power generation of distributed energy resource connected to a virtual power plant, and stabilizing the output of the virtual power plant by controlling the virtual power plant output adjustment device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the following flow chart will be described by using the same reference numerals which are attached to components ofFIG.1toFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.4, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention predicts the expected power generation amount of a plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100at step S102. Herein, the virtual power plant management device200may predict the expected power generation amount of each distributed energy resource based on the characteristics and power generation capacity of each distributed energy resource.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may conduct a bidding with the power exchange20and determine the VPP bidding power generation amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10at step S104.

Herein, the virtual power plant management device200may derive the VPP expected generation amount by summing the predicted generation amount of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m, and determine the VPP bidding power generation amount by conducting a bidding with the power exchange20based on the VPP expected generation amount.

For example, the VPP expected power generation amount may include a VPP minimum power generation amount and the VPP maximum power generation amount that the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100can generate at a specific point in time or during a bidding period. And, the VPP bidding power generation amount may be determined as a value between the VPP minimum power generation amount and the VPP maximum power generation amount.

Then, the virtual power plant management device200may analyze the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100due to the output variation of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mat step S106.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may control the power consumption and power production of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310based on the analysis result at step S108.

Herein, the virtual power plant management device200may control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310based on at least one of the VPP bidding power generation with the power exchange20, the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and system information of the power system10(eg, frequency, power supply and demand, reserve power, net load amount, response amount, new renewable output fluctuation, etc.), or a control signal received from the outside (eg, power exchange) of the virtual power plant100.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may stabilize the output variation of the virtual power plant100by adjusting the output variation and error of the virtual power plant100through the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310at step S110.

For example, the present invention produces heat energy with the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by using the surplus power of the virtual power plant100to, and provides the produced thermal energy to a heat load, through this, the output of the virtual power plant100can be stabilized.

Further, the present invention may stabilize the output of the virtual power plant100by supplementing the insufficient output of the virtual power plant100with the power generated by the virtual power plant output adjustment device310.

FIG.5is a graph showing a typical daily power demand curve in the power system, andFIG.6is a graph illustrating a change in a net load amount due to an increase in output of a variable power supply.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, when the output variability of the variable power connected to the power system10or the distributed energy resource connected to the virtual power plant100increases, the net load is formed in the form of a duck curve.

In particular, when the proportion of the variable power source (for example, a renewable energy source) connected to the power system10or the virtual power plant100is increased, the power demand curve is expected to change in a pattern different from the existing power demand curve due to the phenomenon that the power load decreases sharply after sunrise and the power load increases rapidly after sunset. In addition, when the duck-curve phenomenon intensifies, it is expected that the power demand forecasting error increases and the pharmaceutical cost increases.

For example, a wind power generator, which is a renewable energy source, has an output greatly influenced by wind speed, and a solar power generator has an output dependent on the amount of insolation of a photovoltaic module. In addition, the output of renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power is increased during the daytime, and for this reason, the net load of the power system10or the virtual power plant100obtained by subtracting the output of the renewable energy source from the total load of the power system10or the virtual power plant100is greatly reduced.

In particular, when the renewable energy source is connected to the power system10or the virtual power plant100during the daytime of the season when the output variability of the renewable energy source is large, there is a problem that causes an imbalance in power supply and demand of the power system10or the virtual power plant100, and the system frequency of the power system10or the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100becomes unstable.

Therefore, the present invention connects the virtual power plant output adjustment device310to the virtual power plant100, and by adjusting the power consumption and generation amount of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310consumes the surplus power of the virtual power plant100or supplements the insufficient output of the virtual power plant100.

Through this, the present invention provides an environment capable of resolving output fluctuations and errors of the virtual power plant caused by output fluctuations of distributed energy resources, and stabilizing the output of the virtual power plant.

FIG.7is a flowchart briefly showing a process of deriving a VPP expected power generation amount based on the expected power generation amount of individual distributed energy resources and determining a VPP bidding power generation amount using the derived VPP expected power generation amount according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the following flow chart will be described by using the same reference numerals which are attached to components ofFIG.1toFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.7, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention analyzes characteristics of the individual distributed energy resources110at step S202. Herein, the individual distributed energy resource may include at least one of a wind power generator, a solar power generator, a geothermal generator, a fuel cell, bio-energy, marine energy, or a variable power source whose output cannot be adjusted.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may derive the expected amount of power generated by the individual distributed energy resources110during a predetermined period (eg, a bidding period) based on the characteristics of the individual distributed energy resources110at step S204.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may derive the VPP predicted power generation amount by summing the predicted power generation amounts of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mat steps S206and S208. Herein, the VPP expected power generation amount includes the amount of generation that the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100can generate at a specific point in time or during a bidding period.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may determine the VPP bidding power generation amount output from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during the bidding period at step S210. Herein, the VPP bidding power generation amount includes the power supply amount or power output amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during the bidding period.

FIG.8is a graph showing an expected power generation amount and average generation amount of individual distributed energy resources according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.9is a graph showing a VPP expected power generation amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount of the virtual power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.8andFIG.9, the virtual power plant management device200may predict an expected power generation amount PDER1_expectedto PDERm_expectedand an average power generation amount PDER1_averageto PDERm_averageof each distributed energy resource by analyzing the characteristics of each of the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m.

And, the virtual power plant management device200may derive the amount of power generation of the virtual power plant100by summing the expected power generation amount PDERm_expectedto PDERm_expectedor the average power generation amount PDER1_averageto PDERm_averageof a plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m.

For example, the virtual power plant management apparatus200may derive the VPP expected power generation amount PVPP_expected generation amountby summing the expected power generation amount PDERm_expectedto PDERm_expectedthat the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100can generate at a specific point in time or during a bidding period.

Herein, the VPP expected power generation amount PVPP_expected generation amountmay include the VPP minimum power generation amount Pvpp_minwhich is the minimum generation amount of the virtual power plant100and the VPP maximum power generation amount Pvpp_maxwhich is the maximum generation amount of the virtual power plant100.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may determine the VPP bidding power generation amount Pvpp bidding generation amountoutput from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during a bidding period based on the VPP expected power generation amount Pvpp_expected generation amount.

In this case, the VPP bidding power generation amount Pvpp bidding power generation amountmay have a value between the VPP minimum power generation amount Pvpp_minand the VPP maximum power generation amount Pvpp_max. In addition, the VPP bidding power generation Pvpp bidding power generation amountmay be a sum of the average power generation amounts PDER1_averageto PDERm_averageof the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-m.

FIG.10is a flowchart briefly showing a process of controlling a virtual power plant output adjustment device by comparing a VPP expected output amount and a VPP bidding power generation amount according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the following flow chart will be described by using the same reference numerals which are attached to components ofFIG.1toFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.10, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may conduct a bidding with the power exchange20, and determine the VPP bidding power generation amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10at step S302. Herein, the VPP bidding power generation amount may include a power supply amount or power output amount supplied from the virtual power plant100to the power system10during a bidding period.

And, the virtual power plant management device200monitors the amount of power generated by the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100in real time, and derives the VPP power generation amount generated from the virtual power plant100at step S304. Herein, the VPP power generation amount may include the total of the power generation amount each generated from the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mduring a specific time point or a bidding period.

Then, the virtual power plant management device200calculates the VPP expected output amount by subtracting the power consumption by the load120of the virtual power plant100from the VPP power generation amount at step S306. Herein, the VPP expected power generation amount may include a power generation amount that can be generated by the plurality of distributed energy resources110-1to110-mconnected to the virtual power plant100at a specific time point or during a bidding period.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by comparing the VPP power generation amount or the VPP expected output amount with the VPP bidding power generation amount.

For example, when the amount of power generation of the distributed energy resource110is reduced and the VPP power generation amount is greater than the VPP bidding power generation amount, the virtual power plant management device200may control to increase the amount of power generation or power production of the renewable combined heat and power plant330at step S308and S310.

At this time, even when the power consumption of the load120connected to the virtual power plant100increases sharply and the VPP expected output amount is smaller than the VPP bidding power generation amount, the power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330is increased.

And, the virtual power plant management device200may control the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330in proportion to the difference value between the VPP power generation amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount or the difference value between the VPP expected output amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount.

Further, when the VPP power generation amount or the VPP expected output amount is greater than the VPP bidding power generation amount due to an increase in the amount of power generation of the distributed energy resource110or a sharp decrease in the amount of power consumption of the load120, it can be controlled to increase the power consumption of the heat conversion device320at step S312and S314. At this time, the virtual power plant management device200may control the size of the power consumption of the heat conversion device320in proportion to the difference value between the VPP power generation amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount or the difference value between the VPP expected output amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount.

FIG.11is a graph showing an example of controlling the virtual power plant output adjustment device by comparing the VPP expected output amount and the VPP bidding power generation amount according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.11, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may control the power consumption of the heat conversion device320and the power generation amount of the renewable combined heat and power plant330in real time by comparing the VPP bidding power generation amount Pvpp bidding generation amountand the VPP expected output amount Pvpp expected output amountin real time.

For example, in the sections t0 to t1, t2 to t3, t4 to t5 in which the VPP expected output amount Pvpp predicted output amountis smaller than the VPP bid generation amount Pvpp bidding power generation amount, the generation amount of the renewable combined heat and power plant330can be increased.

In addition, the present invention can supplement the insufficient amount of power generation and output of the virtual power plant100by supplying the electric power produced in the renewable combined heat and power plant330to the virtual power plant100or the power system10.

Further, in the sections t1 to t2, t3 to t4 in which the VPP expected output amount Pvpp predicted output amountis larger than the VPP bidding power generation amount Pvpp bidding power generation amount, the surplus power of the virtual power plant100can be consumed by adjusting the power consumption of the heat conversion device320.

Of course, although in the sections t1 to t2, t3 to t4 the VPP expected output amount Pvpp expected output amountis larger than the VPP bidding power generation amount Pvpp bidding power generation amount, if the VPP expected output amount is smaller than the VPP bidding power generation amount due to a sharp increase in the power consumption of the load120, it is possible to control to increase the amount of power generation of the renewable cogeneration power plant at step330.

FIG.12is a flowchart briefly showing a process of controlling a virtual power plant output adjustment device by monitoring a system frequency of a power system or a zone frequency of a virtual power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the following flow chart will be described by using the same reference numerals which are attached to components ofFIG.1toFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.12, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may detect a system frequency of the power system10or a zone frequency of the virtual power plant100in real time, and monitor a change of the frequency at step S402.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by comparing the system frequency or the zone frequency with a preset value.

For example, the system frequency of the power system10may change abruptly due to a sudden change in the output of the variable power source connected to the power system10, a generator dropout or a large-scale load surge. In this case, the present invention may compare the system frequency or the zone frequency with a preset value and control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310.

And, according to the present invention, the output amount of the virtual power plant100can be adjusted through the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310, and as a result, the system frequency of the power system10can be maintained within a predetermined range.

Further, the output of the distributed energy resource110connected to the virtual power plant100may change abruptly, so that the zone frequency of the virtual power plant100may change abruptly. Even at this time, the present invention can control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by comparing the system frequency or the zone frequency with a preset value. And, according to the present invention, the output of the virtual power plant100can be stably maintained through the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310.

For example, the virtual power plant management device200may control to increase the power consumption of the heat conversion device320when the system frequency or the zone frequency is greater than a first frequency preset value at steps S404and S406.

In addition, when the system frequency or the zone frequency is smaller than a second frequency preset value, the virtual power plant management device200may control to increase the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330at steps S408and S410.

Of course, the virtual power plant management device200may directly compare the system frequency and the zone frequency, and control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310based on the comparison result.

FIG.13is a flowchart briefly showing a process of conducting bidding by predicting the amount of generation of individual distributed energy resources and controlling a virtual power plant output adjustment device by monitoring an actual power generation amount of individual distributed energy resources according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the following flow chart will be described by using the same reference numerals which are attached to components ofFIG.1toFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.13, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may predict an expected generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110at step S502.

And, the virtual power plant management device200may analyze the expected power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and within the total power generation that the individual distributed energy resource110can generate during the bidding period, it is possible to determine the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110supplied to the power system10at step S504.

In addition, the virtual power plant management device200may compare the expected power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110with the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and pre-predict the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310. And, the virtual power plant management device200may pre-analyze the power consumption and power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by using the comparison result between the predicted power generation amount and the individual bidding power generation amount at step S506.

For example, when the expected power generation amount is greater than the individual bidding power generation amount, in order to stabilize the virtual power plant100or to keep the output of the individual distributed energy resource110constant, it is possible to analyze and predict the size or amount of power consumption by the heat conversion device320required to use the surplus power of the individual distributed energy resource110at step S508.

And, when the expected power generation amount is smaller than the individual bidding power generation amount, to stabilize the virtual power plant100or to keep the output of the individual distributed energy resource110constant, the size or amount of power generation to be generated by the renewable combined heat and power plant330may be analyzed and predicted at step S510.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200may monitor the actual amount of power generated by the individual distributed energy resources110at step S512. And, the virtual power plant management device200compares the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110with the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and based on the comparison result, the virtual power plant output adjustment device310operation can be controlled.

For example, when the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110is greater than the individual bidding power generation amount, it is possible to control to increase the power consumption of the heat conversion device320at steps S514and S516.

Further, when the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110is smaller than the individual bidding power generation amount, it is possible to control to increase the power generation amount of the renewable combined heat and power plant330at step S518.

That is, the present invention monitors the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110in real time, compares the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110with the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110, and controls the power consumption of the heat conversion device or the amount of power generation of the renewable cogeneration power plant330. Therefore, it is possible to keep the output of individual distributed energy resources constant. And, through this, the present invention can provide the same effect that the output of the individual distributed energy resource110is flattened and provided to the virtual power plant100.

In addition, the present invention predicts and analyzes the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310in advance by comparing the predicted power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110and the individual bidding power generation amount, and then controls the operation of the heat conversion device320and the renewable combined heat and power plant330in real time by comparing the generation amount and the individual bidding generation amount in real time. Therefore, this provides an environment that can more effectively respond to variations in the output of the distributed energy resource.

Further, in the present invention, the bidding period of the individual distributed energy resource110may be divided into a plurality of sections, and a section average value of the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110may be derived for each section. In addition, the present invention can control the operation of the heat conversion device320and the renewable combined heat and power plant330by comparing the average value of each section for each section with the individual bidding power generation amount.

Of course, in the present invention, the bidding period of the virtual power plant100may be divided into a plurality of sections, and a section average value of the actual power generation amount of the virtual power plant100may be derived for each section. In addition, the present invention may control the operation of the heat conversion device320and the renewable combined heat and power plant330by comparing the average value of each section for each section with the VPP bidding power generation amount.

FIG.14is a graph showing an example of controlling a virtual power plant output adjustment device by dividing a bidding period into a plurality of sections and monitoring an actual power generation amount of individual distributed energy resources for each section according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.14, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may divide the bidding period tato teof the individual distributed energy resources110into a plurality of sections. Herein, the plurality of sections may include a first section tato tb, a second section tbto tc, a third section tdto td, and a fourth section tdto te.

And, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may compare the actual power generation amount PDER_power generation amountof the individual distributed energy resource110and the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amountof the individual distributed energy resource110, and control the amount of power consumption or power generation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310in real time based on the comparison result.

Further, the virtual power plant management device200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may derive a section average value PDER_section average valueof the actual power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource110for each section, and control the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device310by comparing the section average value PDER_section average valueand the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amount.

For example, in the first section tato tband the fourth section tdto te, since a first section average value PDER_first section average valueand a fourth section average value PDER_fourth section average valueare greater than the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amount, it is possible to increase the heat production amount of the heat conversion device320. At this time, the heat production of the heat conversion device320may be proportional to the difference between the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amountand the first section average value PDER_first section average value, or be proportional to the difference between the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amountand the average value of the fourth section PDER_fourth section average value.

In addition, in the second section tbto tcand the third section tcto td, since the second section average value PDER_second section average valueand the third section average value PDER_third section average valueare smaller than the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amount, it is possible to increase the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330.

In this case, the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330may be proportional to the difference between the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amountand the second section average value PDER_second section average value. In addition, the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant330may be proportional to the difference between the individual bidding power generation amount PDER_individual bidding power generation amountand the third section average value PDER_third section average value.

As described above, the virtual power plant system and the virtual power plant operation method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention connects the virtual power plant output adjustment device to the virtual power plant, and adjusts the output variation and error of the virtual power plant due to the output variation of the distributed energy resources through the virtual power plant output adjustment device, thereby stabilizing the output of the virtual power plant.

Further, according to the present invention, the virtual power plant output adjustment device can produce heat energy by using the surplus power that is overproduced by the output fluctuation of the distributed energy resource. Through this, it is possible to minimize the output fluctuation of the virtual power plant due to the output fluctuation of the distributed energy resource, which is difficult to control the output such as a renewable energy source, and to maintain the output of the virtual power plant stably.

Further, the present invention provides an environment in which the waste of energy sources can be prevented by storing the heat energy produced in the virtual power plant output adjustment device in a large capacity and providing it to the heat load.

Further, the present invention may connect the renewable combined heat and power plant to the virtual power plant as a distributed energy resource, adjust the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant in response to output fluctuations of the distributed energy resources, and supplement the insufficient output of the virtual power plant with the power generated in the renewable combined heat and power plant. Through this, it provides an environment in which the output of the virtual power plant can be stably maintained by minimizing the output shortage of the virtual power plant caused by distributed energy resources that are difficult to control output such as new and renewable energy sources and the output fluctuation of the virtual power plant.

Further, the present invention may analyze the predicted power generation amount of each individual distributed energy resource, derive the VPP predicted power generation amount by summing the predicted power generation amount of the distributed energy resources, and derive the VPP bidding power generation amount based on the VPP predicted power generation amount. Through this, the present invention provides an environment in which the optimal bidding power generation amount can be effectively determined.

Further, the present invention may derive the VPP power generation amount generated in real time within the virtual power plant by monitoring the amount of power generated from a plurality of distributed energy resources, and adjust the power consumption of the heat conversion device or the power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant by comparing the VPP power generation amount and VPP bidding power generation amount. Through this, the present invention provides an environment capable of stably maintaining the output of the virtual power plant.

Further, the present invention may detect the system frequency of the power system or the zone frequency of the virtual power plant in real time, and control the power consumption of the heat conversion device or the amount of power generation of the renewable combined heat and power plant based on the detected frequency. Through this, the present invention provides an environment capable of preventing a sudden change in the system frequency of the power system and a sudden change in the zone frequency of the virtual power plant due to output fluctuations of distributed energy resources, which are variable power sources.

Further, the present invention may monitor the amount of power generation of individual distributed energy resources in real time, and control the power consumption of the heat conversion device or the power generation amount of the renewable combined heat and power plant by comparing the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resources with the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resources. Through this, the present invention maintains the output of the individual distributed energy resource constant, and the output of the individual distributed energy resource is flattened and provided to the virtual power plant.

Further, the present invention may determine the individual bidding power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource by predicting the power generation amount of individual distributed energy resources during the bidding period, compare the individual bidding power generation amount and the power generation amount of the individual distributed energy resource in real time, based on this, and control the power consumption of the heat conversion device or control the amount of power generated in the renewable combined heat and power plant in real time. Through this, the present invention provides an environment in which the output amount of individual distributed energy resources can be adjusted to the amount of individual bidding power generation during the bidding period.

Further, the present invention controls the operation of the virtual power plant output adjustment device based on at least one of the VPP bidding power generation amount with the power exchange, the power generation amount of individual distributed energy resources, system information of the power system, or a control signal received from the power exchange. Through this, the present invention provides an environment capable of stably maintaining the output of the virtual power plant and stably maintaining the power system.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not implemented only by an apparatus and a method, and therefore, may be realized by programs realizing functions corresponding to the configuration of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention or recording media on which the programs are recorded. Such a recording medium may be executed not only in the server but also in the user terminal.

Although the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail hereinabove, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, several modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art using a basic concept of the present invention as defined in the claims fall within the scope of the present invention.