Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS)

• Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS): Managing home inverters, batteries, smart meter, HVAC and EV chargers to optimize energy use. By monitoring and managing household energy consumption, HEMS helps reduce energy waste and lowers electricity bills.
• Energy Trading: Aggregating the output of distributed energy resources, enabling participation in energy markets as a single entity.
• Dynamic tariffs: Our system leverages OpenADR to track dynamic electricity pricing, intelligently scheduling device usage to take advantage of lower rates.
• EV charging: Coordinating the charging of electric vehicles (EVs) to prevent grid overload and capitalize on low-cost, off-peak electricity. Enabling V2G technology, allowing EVs to supply power back to the grid during high-demand periods, providing additional grid support.

• VPP: Virtual Power Plants focus on controlling power across a network of assets to deliver grid services. These services are not heavily dependent on the exact location of individual assets. VPPs typically provide system-wide benefits by scaling up or down the generation or load, catering to broader regions such as ISO (Independent System Operators) and RTO (Regional Transmission Organizations) areas.
• DERMS: Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems deliver grid services closely tied to the specific location of each asset. DERMS manage power flows along individual feeders and provide services like voltage management, optimal power flow, and locational capacity relief. They manage both real power (watts) and reactive power (VARs), allowing for precise control of load and generation on specific sections of the grid.

• VPP: Engage in active power control to deliver grid services without a strong reliance on the specific location of assets. They focus on aggregate benefits over a wider area.
• DERMS: Provide location-specific control of power flows, adjusting both real and reactive power to optimize performance on individual feeders.

• VPP: Typically offer services that benefit the entire grid, such as balancing supply and demand, reducing peak load, and integrating renewable energy sources.
• DERMS: Offer services that are more localized, including voltage control, power flow optimization, and providing capacity relief in specific areas of the grid.

4、Operational Differences:

• VPP: Often operate over larger geographic areas and are integrated with market operations to participate in energy trading and grid balancing across wide regions.
• DERMS: Focus on the distribution network, optimizing power flows and managing resources within specific, localized sections of the grid.

1. Integration of Renewable Energy: DERMS seamlessly integrates various renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, into the grid. It manages the intermittent nature of these resources, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.
2. Real-Time Monitoring and Control: By continuously monitoring DERs, DERMS provides real-time data on energy production, consumption, and storage. This allows for immediate adjustments to maintain grid stability and efficiency.
3. Optimization of Energy Resources: DERMS optimizes the use of all available energy resources. It balances supply and demand, reduces energy wastage, and ensures that energy is delivered at the most cost-effective times.
4. Enhanced Grid Reliability and Resilience: By managing distributed energy resources, DERMS enhances the reliability and resilience of the grid. It can quickly respond to disruptions, such as power outages or sudden changes in energy demand, ensuring minimal impact on consumers.

5. Support for Demand Response Programs: DERMS enables demand response programs, where energy consumption is adjusted in response to supply conditions. This helps in reducing peak demand and shifting energy usage to off-peak times, thus lowering energy costs and improving grid efficiency.