Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced the successful completion of its inaugural virtual power plant (VPP) project.
This groundbreaking project utilizes a digital twin of the network to rigorously evaluate its performance and optimize energy management.
A Regional First in Advanced Energy Management
According to DEWA, this VPP stands as the first of its kind in the region. It harnesses advanced digital technologies, encompassing aggregation, orchestration, AI forecasting, and optimization, to seamlessly integrate and control diverse types of distributed energy resources (DERs), ultimately bolstering the smart grid.
Saeed Mohammed Ahmad Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA, emphasized that the VPP is currently undergoing rigorous testing using a digital twin of the electrical network.
This testing aims to evaluate its potential as an enabler for achieving large-scale system flexibility in energy transmission and distribution.
DEWA has proactively identified and aggregated potential sites on the network to enhance both operational efficiency and reliability.
DEWA’s VPP: A Smart Grid Solution
DEWA’s VPP operates as a sophisticated smart network and digital platform, connecting a wide array of distributed small and medium-scale DER units.
This connectivity empowers DERs to bolster network operations and maximize their value proposition for both the grid operator and end consumers.
This is achieved by providing essential grid services, including peak shaving, PV oversupply management, power factor correction, frequency regulation, energy balancing, and renewable firming.