An Agent-Based Framework for Aggregation of Manageable Distributed Energy Resources

Abstract

Distributed energy resources (DER) offer an economically attractive alternative to traditional centralized generation. However, the unpredictable and scattered nature of DER prevents them from replacing traditional centralized generator capacity. Aggregating DER under a virtual power plant (VPP) addresses this issue by exposing the combined capabilities of connected DER as a single controllable entity towards the utility. In this paper we propose an architecture that supports multi-level aggregation of DER under VPPs. In this architecture, DER submit energy profiles to a VPP. The VPP may then control the DER within the boundaries defined in the energy profiles. The proposed architecture is hosted in an agent-based framework, Controleum, and is to be demonstrated at a primary school in Denmark, first quarter 2014. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.