Application of blockchain technology in virtual power plant considering distributed photovoltaic generation

Abstract

Since 2014, Shanghai has built the virtual power plant operation system which includes commercial buildings, energy storage system, distributed photovoltaic and any other resources. However, there are also some problems during the construction of virtual power plant. On the one hand, the characteristics of distributed energy resources are different, so it is difficult to achieve optimal scheduling; On the other hand, data trusted sharing and intelligent transaction are imperfect, so it is difficult to realize an efficient transaction mechanism based on user trust. Therefore, it is necessary to use blockchain technology to promote the collaborative interaction ability of "source network load storage" resources and to optimize the intelligent transaction. In order to verify the demand response function of virtual power plant based on blockchain technology, this paper constructs an integrated monitoring platform based on the micro-grid in State Grid Shanghai Electrical Power Research Institude. The platform takes the distributed photovoltaic, charging pile, energy storage, air conditioning and any other adjustable loads as trading users. It can analyze and evaluate the power supply and power demand of micro-grid through way of power forecasting and load forecasting; When there is a major gap between power supply and power demand, the platform will automatically organize the various trading users to participate in the transaction through the smart contract technology of blockchain; Formulate the scheduling of adjustable load according to the transaction results; Write the settlement rules into the smart contract to realize the automation of transaction in virtual power plant. Smart contract can not only improve the credibility of transaction data certificate of virtual power plant, but also simplify the transaction process of massive load resources. In addition, it can reduce the transaction delay and improve the internal management efficiency of virtual power plant. The whole business process is stored on the chain and all data are obtained on the chain to ensure the safety of data during the transaction process. Generally the platform can improve the degree of automation through smart contract and can promote trusted transactions through the whole process data saving in the blockchain. The platform can be applied in other virtual power plants composed by distributed resources. It also can improve the development of new energy industry and the construction of power trading market in Shanghai.