Electric Power ›› 2026, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (1): 1-9.DOI: 10.11930/j.issn.1004-9649.202408065

• The Key Technologies of Planning, Operation, and Transaction of The Integrated Energy System Considering Distributed Virtual Energy Storage Aggregation • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of the development experience of virtual power plants in Germany and its implications

WU Xiaoyu(), CAO Yuchen(), MENG Heli(), LIU Lin   

  1. State Grid Energy Research Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing 102209, China
  • Received:2024-08-20 Revised:2025-11-17 Online:2026-01-13 Published:2026-01-28
  • Supported by:
    This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Collaborative Safe Operation Method of Urban Regional Distribution Network Gas Supply Network Heating Network Coupling System Under Unconventional Events, No.52307088), China Distributed Renewable Energy Application Promotion Project (Research on Mechanism Models and Supporting Policies for Promoting the Optimal Matching of Distributed Power Generation Resources and Virtual Power Plants, No.A1-CS-2023-004).

Abstract:

With the rapid increase in new energy penetration, the power system faces difficulties in integrating new energy during off-peak load periods and challenges in ensuring power supply during peak load periods. As an emerging means for developing and utilizing demand-side resources, virtual power plants (VPPs) have attracted significant attention. German's VPPs have been in commercial operation for many years. In order to learn from its advanced experience, this paper analyzes the basic situation of Germany's VPPs development, including its background, development history, construction and operation entities, and main profit models; On this basis, the paper investigates the promoting effects of Germany's legal norms, market mechanisms, and electricity pricing policies. By comparing the current situation of China and Germany and summarizing the experience, relevant implications and suggestions for the development of VPPs in China are put forward.

Key words: virtual power plant, Germany, development experience, implication and suggestions