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Tech Data

Virtual Power Plant

Multi-Site Remote Dispatching Software

Highlights
One-Button-Dispatching Virtual Site Aggregation Event Recording Database Dispatch Scheduling Technology Neutral
Data Sheet Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Virtual Power Plant Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Fuel Type Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Regional Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Substation Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Economic Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Load Reduction Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Site Priority Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Remote Scheduled Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Virtual Power Plant Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Virtual Power Plant Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Intelligent Site Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Communication Processor Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Encorp Intelligence Family of Gateway Servers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

July 10, 2003

Introduction
Encorp Intelligence Virtual Power Plant Software takes advantage of the emerging trend towards microgrids made up of distributed generation assets, linked together using secure, cost-effective communication network technology and controlled by a remote Dispatch Workstation. The Virtual Power Plant dispatches technology neutral assets such as diesel and natural gas generators, micro-turbines, steam and combustion turbines, wind-diesel hybrid systems, fuel cells, and other renewable and energy storage technologies. A unique feature of the Virtual Power Plant is its ability to create any number of virtual sites from the total resource set available. This allows power producers to select what kinds and the exact amount of power to be dispatched.

Solar Cells

Microturbines

Fuel Cells

Wind Turbines

Diesel Fueled Genset Natural Gas Fueled Genset

Fuel Cell Wind Turbine

The Virtual Power Plant makes it Microturbine Solar Cell possible to aggregate environmentally Figure 1 Distributed Energy Resources can be used to form Virtual Sites friendly micro generators such as fuel cells, solar cells, and microturbines that are becoming economically feasible for widespread curtailment. The operator then attempts to contact all load deployment (Figure 1). curtailment customers (perhaps numbering in the Another useful feature of the Virtual Power Plant software thousands) via e-mail, pager, or VPP. Customers are expected to respond within minutes or face a penalty in the is its ability to transmit schedules to remote sites enabling generator sets to be deployed or tested at any time without form of higher rates. If the customer is on an interruptible rate program, he faces disconnection if there is no means the need for time-consuming site visits. to transition his facility from the grid. The Virtual Power Plant allows the utility or other managing service to seamlessly move facilities from the utility grid to their own Why is a Virtual Power Plant Needed? microgrids. Due to political and economic constraints, the nation's electrical needs continue to rise while central power plant introduction has slowed. A huge advantage with emerging, How the Virtual Power Plant Works distributed power is the relative ease at which permitting is The Virtual Power Plant Software acts in the same manner obtained. Emission levels are typically low with many as a simple network of personal computers to link together types of commercially available generation assets such as seldom-used standby and emergency generators at natural gas generators. Fuel cell and solar cell powered hospitals, universities, office parks, manufacturers, and generator emissions are near zero. other end-users allowing utilities to draw on these on-site The Virtual Power Plant benefits customers using power sources supplement or relieve critical utility loads traditional load curtailment programs. The real-time price on short notice. of power is monitored by the utility and depending on The Virtual Power Plant Software leverages the Encorp other key factors such as time of day, and expected Power Generator Power Control or Gold Box, an demand, the utility may decide it must initiate load

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innovative solid state control that replaces up to 20 separate components. The GPC allows for an interconnection-in-a-box solution that enables rapid deployment of technology neutral power producers (i.e. diesel or gas engine/generator sets, gas turbines, microturbines, fuel cells, wind, hydro, and energy storage) in any combination or mode of operation).

Virtual Power Plant Applications

The Virtual Power Plant software allows energy system managers to create virtual sites based on multiple criteria such as economic, fuel type, or location characteristics. A user-friendly interface allows an operator to quickly dispatch a virtual site based on a specific need. Once created, these virtual sites can be dispatched from a user action (one-button-dispatching), or by pre-scheduling it from the Virtual Power Plant software interface.

Fuel Type Dispatch

One way to aggregate energy resources is by the type of fuel used to generate power. With the cost of different fuel types constantly fluctuating, a manager can choose to dispatch only natural gas gensets from virtual sites that are configured in the VPP software. The great advantage to using the Virtual Power Plant software to do this is in having virtual sites already setup according to the dispatch criteria. As circumstances unfold
Substation Alpha Substation Beta

Diesel Fueled Genset Natural Gas Fueled Genset Microturbine

Fuel Cell Wind Turbine Solar Cell

Figure 3 Distributed Energy Resources dispatched by fuel type in the real world of fluctuating energy and fuel prices, preprogrammed virtual sites can be one-button-dispatched to take advantage of the event (Figure 3).

Regional Dispatch
Substation Charlie Substation Delta

Sites may be dispatched according to their region. Within a particular transmission grid, generator assets are clustered into virtual regional sites so that the VPPs onebutton-dispatch feature can bring all power online quickly to alleviate utility constraints (Figure 2).

Substation Feeders
Diesel Fueled Genset Natural Gas Fueled Genset Microturbine Fuel Cell Wind Turbine Solar Cell

Figure 2 Distributed Energy Resources dispatched by region

Within a utilitys regional area, a network of substations receive high voltage alternating current from transmission lines and step down the voltage for local distribution. Local events can, at times, disrupt electrical distribution within a particular substation region. A virtual site for a

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substation area can be brought on line quickly to relieve load or provide backup power.

Economic Dispatch
Another good example of aggregating energy resources is by using economic criteria. In such a scenario, power producers and ISOs might deal with supply/demand imbalances using demand response programs by employing virtual microgrids. The Virtual Power Plant provides maximum flexibility by allowing multiple virtual sites to be set up based on varying degrees of price/kW/hr. Not only can the problem of supply exceeding demand be met, the power producer can select the virtual site that provides the greatest economic advantage based on energy spot markets. Energy resources are quickly dispatched based on price/kW/hr thus preserving adequate price margins.

Using this method, a schedule is stored and executed by the site. At the time of dispatch, the Virtual Power Plant does not need to be physically linked to the site. To ensure synchronization of dispatch times, the Virtual Power Plant can reset the clock of a sites Communications Processor Module (CPM) when it connects to deliver the dispatch schedule.

Virtual Power Plant Components

The Virtual Power Plant uses a three-tiered client-server architecture to achieve The VPP software is used to aggregate sites together based on numerous criteria. At the site level, several components

Virtual Power Plant Software

The Virtual Power Plant Software is Windows-based 32bit software that starts and stops remote generator sets. The VPP software allows users to organize physical power generation assets into virtual sites for one-buttondispatching, an exclusive feature of the Virtual Power Plant. The VPP software logs and records all access events and commands issued by the VPP in to a database for secure record keeping. The interface has an Overview, Dispatch Scheduling, Dispatch Information, Data, and History.

Load Reduction Dispatch

Load reduction dispatch is useful at installations where customers and utilities share the cost and benefits of onsite generation. There are variations but this is typically peak sharing in the form of interruptible or curtailable load programs. More sophisticated programs include utility owned on-site generation where the customer pays a monthly fee for improved reliability and the utility gets added peaking capacity. As demand for power rises, virtual sites set up for load reduction are brought on-line from the Virtual Power Plant Dispatch Workstation. Typically, the effort is monitored using Encorp Intelligence Virtual Maintenance Monitor Software tools so that as demand eases, assets can be returned to their original standby status.

Overview Features
Shows Distributed Capacity for a siterepresents the total generation capacity of all of the generators contained by the selected site. Shows sites that are Out of Servicerepresents the unavailable generation capacity, this is accumulated if any of the generators cannot come on line or are not communicating. Shows Available Powerrepresents the Distributed Capacity minus (PowerOutput + OutOfService). Shows Power Outputrepresents the power currently being produced by all of the generators contained by the selected site. Shows Verified Powerrepresents the power output that has been verified by a callback to the VMM or a call-out to the generators. Shows Requested Powerrepresents the power that was requested from a site.

Site Priority Dispatch

The Virtual Power Plant software aggregates assets into virtual sites and allows the dispatcher to determine the site dispatch priority. Depending on specific criteria, quick starting or high capacity assets are started first to handle the most critical loads with the remainder coming on line shortly thereafter.

Remote Scheduled Dispatch

A unique feature of the Virtual Power Plant is its ability to send remote dispatch commands to any site setup in its list.

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Dispatch Scheduling Features

Dispatch Scheduling provides information and tools to send a dispatch signal to a device or site. All of the dispatch schedules sent from this VPP workstation are listed in a grid along with all of the information pertaining to the Dispatch Schedule.

Out of Service Dispatch signal

Total Energy in kW-hours Energy Dispatch - accumulated during all dispatches for a device Error Status Command Status Run Time Total Rated kW Run Time Dispatch Requested kW Total Harmonic Distortion % Available kW Voltage Last Measured kW Out of Service kW Control SP Control Mode Last Updated

Dispatch Information Features

Dispatch Information provides information for the current dispatch schedules at the selected site or device.

Data Features
Displays information for either a site or a device. The information shown by the tab depends upon your selection. You cannot modify any of the values in the data tab. The information on the data tab is stored locally and updated whenever the VPP connects to a site or vice versa. Status Indicators In Auto Running On line Verified

Physical Site Level Device Details Screen

Dispatch Detail Screen

Dispatch Scheduling Screen

Physical Site Overview Screen

VPP Event History Log

Figure 5 Virtual Power Plant Dispatch Overview & Detail Screens

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Event Log History

The History tab displays a list of all activities performed by the VPP. The activities include: Logging in Issuing a Start or Stop command Connecting to a CPM CPM Callback to VPP

Electronic Engine Control Continuous Emission Monitors PLCs SCADA systems Power Quality Meters Flow Meters

Intelligent Site Devices

An intelligent site device is any device that collects digital data from any power system component. Because of advances in OPC (OLE for Process Control) technology, virtually any intelligent site device is capable of using the OPC specification through the use of commercially available device drivers.

The CPM uses Third-Party OPC Servers which provide an interface to a wide range of industrial devices and systems. Third-Party OPC Servers provide device connectivity through the use of plug-in communications drivers. Adding a new OPC Server is simply a matter of plugging in a new driver. Encorp routinely incorporates communication drivers from a long list of available drivers. Listed below are several examples: Modbus Slave Modbus RTU Siemens S5 (3964R) PLCDirect ECOM DIRECT-NET

Third-party data collection devices

Third-party collection devices are considered any intelligent device that is able to convert analog signals into digital data and allows OPC device drivers on the Encorp Communications Processor Module (CPM) to deliver the data to OPC client software such as the Virtual Power Plant. Examples of data collection devices include:

Encorp Power Family of Controls (GPC, UPC, MMC)

The Encorp Power Family of Controls are analog/digital microprocessor-based devices designed to fully control single and multiple generator sets, act as master control

Virtual Power Plant - Product Architecture

Site Devices
Family of Controls Automatic Transfer Switches Digital Paralleling Switchgear

Communication Gateway
Family of Gateway Servers

Remote Customer Site Interface

Virtual Power Plant

NST Bind Server

VPP Server

Generator Power Control

LONWORKS OPC Server

Electronic Engine Control

Engine OEM OPC Server

OPC Data Bridge Server

Virtual Power Plant

Features
Regional Dispatch Economic Dispatch Remote Schedule Dispatch Fuel Type Dispatch Load Reduction Dispatch

Communications Processor Module

11/02

Figure 4 Virtual Power Plant Software Architecture

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nodes and serve meter/monitoring functions. These industrial-grade devices are protected by their distinctive Gold Box covers. The Encorp Power family of controls provide real and reactive power control, load sharing, generator and utility metering, automatic transfer switching, synchronizing, and protective relay functions. All Encorp Power control products use the LONWORKS open field bus protocol for configuration and control. Encorp Intelligence software products can be used to configure, control, and display data from Encorp Power controls.

Encorp Intelligence Family of Gateway Servers

The Encorp Intelligence Family of Gateway Servers is a powerful collection of data servers built on industry standard communication specifications. The critical mission of power generation requires a number of speciality functions such as OEM engine electronic data monitoring, alarm notification, data logging, and interactive graphical screens. Raw site data for these and other purposes pass through various data filters and processing algorithms and are displayed on remote client programs such as the Virtual Maintenance Monitor and the Virtual Power Plant.

Communication Processor Module

The Communications Processor Module (CPM) is an onsite, industrial computer acting as the communication gateway for local and remote operators. Remote users connect to the CPM via TCP/IP through a dialup, LAN (Local Area Network) or VPN (Virtual Private Network). The CPM may also use its onboard modem to send alarms as needed. OPC client components reside on remote Dispatch Workstation computers and interface with the CPM receiving served data from the site devices and issuing commands back to the site. The Communications Processor Module provides the base from which all standard and optional remote connectivity software is served. This rugged box has a steel external case running Windows 2000 Pro and the specifications listed in Figure 6.

CPM Specifications
Pentium III 750MHz FC-PGA Processor 256MB PC100 RAM 20.4GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive Disk Intel 82440BX Chipset Passive 3 Slot ISA, 3 PCI, and 2 PICMG slots (1 Active) Onboard 10/100Base-T Ethernet card C&T69K Onboard Video 56K Hardware based Modem PCLTA-20 LonWorks LonTalk Adapter Configurable Serial card

Figure 6 CPM Specifications

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