Virtual Storage Tariffs (VPPs)

With OpenSolar's new Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Tariff feature, you can now accurately account for energy stored virtually in the grid and ensure proper billing for your solar customers. This feature is designed to align with utility programs such as those offered by Endesa and Urban Solar Energy, enabling significant savings for customers while supporting the growing adoption of virtual storage tariffs.

What Are Virtual Power Plant Tariffs?

Virtual storage tariffs allow customers with solar systems to send excess energy to the grid, where it is stored virtually for later use. Unlike traditional energy usage, retrieving energy from this virtual "battery" involves two distinct cost structures:

1. Shipping Costs: A fee for retrieving energy from the virtual battery.

2. Utility Usage Costs: A higher cost for purchasing energy from the utility when the virtual battery is insufficient.

How It Works on OpenSolar

Our VPP Tariff feature enables the following capabilities:

1. Virtual Battery Tracking:

   • Tracks the energy stored in the virtual battery (in kWh).

   • Allows customers to draw stored energy before purchasing additional energy from the utility.

2. Billing for Energy Recovery:

   • Charges a shipping cost ($/kWh) for energy retrieved from the virtual battery.

3. Billing for Utility Usage:

   • Applies the standard utility usage cost for any energy exceeding the virtual battery's capacity.

4. Customer Bill Calculation:

   • Shipping Costs: Energy drawn from the virtual battery.

   • Utility Usage Costs: Energy purchased from the utility.

In the OpenSolar tariff database, we've modeled Urban Solar Energy Residential Basic Option Virtual Storage and Endesa Solar Plus & Virtual Battery that implement and utilize the VPP feature.

Example Scenario

Scenario: Energy Fully Covered by Solar and Virtual Battery

Customer Profile:

• Solar System Size: 5 kW

• Monthly Solar Generation: 600 kWh

• Monthly Energy Consumption: 800 kWh

• Utility Usage Cost: $0.15/kWh

• Shipping Cost: $0.05/kWh

Energy Breakdown:

• Direct Solar Consumption: 400 kWh

• Energy Stored in Virtual Battery: 400 kWh

• Energy Purchased from Utility: 0 kWh

Bill Calculation:

• Shipping Cost: 400 kWh × $0.05 = $20

• Utility Usage Cost: 0 kWh × $0.15 = $0

• Total Bill: $20

In this scenario, the customer avoids purchasing any electricity from the utility and only pays the shipping cost for stored energy.

Key Features in OpenSolar

1. Daily Energy Profile:

• • A new "Virtual Storage" section is visible in the design and proposal pages.

  • Virtual storage energy is displayed as green on the chart, differentiating it from exported energy (red).

2. Bill Savings Table:

• • Includes a new column labeled "Electricity Imported from Virtual Storage (kWh)."

Benefits for Customers

• Cost Savings: Customers can maximize their solar energy usage and minimize utility costs.

• Transparency: Easy-to-understand billing logic and clear visual representation in proposals.

• Adaptability: Aligns with leading utility programs, supporting seamless integration with existing energy plans.

FAQs

1. How does this feature affect savings projections? Savings projections in OpenSolar will now factor in virtual storage tariffs, ensuring realistic and accurate estimates for customers.

2. Can customers see how much energy is stored virtually? Yes, the proposal page includes detailed tracking of stored and retrieved energy from the virtual battery.

3. How do I set up a Virtual Power Plant Tariff? Simply select the appropriate tariff from within the Energy page, or create your own tariff, ensuring that you assign "Virtual Storage" as the compensation mechanism. 

Harness the power of virtual storage with OpenSolar’s VPP Tariff feature and offer your customers more control, savings, and value from their solar investments!