Iberdrola taps into automated demand response with Spanish VPP

Energy major Iberdrola has built a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to provide Active Demand Response Services (SRAC) through an automated dispatch service in Spain.

The Spanish-based utility company built the VPP through the ‘Concerto’ platform from Generac Grid Services, a subsidiary of Generac Power Systems.

Iberdrola’s provision of the SRAD services started in November last year.

Iberdrola selected Generac to be its VPP software provider via tender in late 2021. The companies have since been working together to aggregate solar generation and load from commercial and industrial facilities as well as smart homes across Spain to support stabilising grid frequency for the Spanish transmission system operator, Red Eléctrica de España.

"The Concerto platform's open ecosystem enables us to connect to and dispatch assets that leverage distinct communication interfaces," stated Rafael Bellido, Head of Flexibility Solutions at Iberdrola, in a press release issued yesterday.

"This helps Iberdrola generate value from a greater number of participating systems, therefore benefiting our customers while helping to keep the Spanish grid more reliable."

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"Together, Generac Grid Services and Iberdrola are demonstrating the value of forecasting and optimising renewable generation solutions," added Jan Peter Moree, VP of Business Development for EMEA at Generac Grid Services.

"Having proven the value of leveraging clean solar generation in the SRAD market, we look forward to supporting Iberdrola as they create more opportunities for distributed energy resource owners and operators in Spain."

Iberdrola and Generac Grid Services are also looking to grow the number and type of distributed energy resources capable of providing flexible capacity, including electric vehicles and industrial loads.

In addition, the companies are planning to bid this growing flexibility into markets beyond SRAD, with manual Frequency Restoration Reserves (mFRR) expected to go live later this year.