Feasibility and Efficiency Evaluation of Virtual Power Plants in Higashida Area, Japan
学生名：王 亚飞
研究テーマ：Feasibility and Efficiency Evaluation of Virtual Power Plants in Higashida Area, Japan
入学年月:2018.10
修了年月:2020.09
取得学位:修士（工学）
論文概要:Japan, a resource-poor country with an energy self-sufficiency rate of approximately 9%, faces significant energy security challenges, particularly following the 2011 earthquake, which hindered the restart of nuclear power plants. Given Japan's heavy reliance on imported energy and the influence of global market conditions, ensuring energy security is critical. With the growing adoption of renewable energy, the concept of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) has emerged as a potential solution. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing VPPs in the Higashida area by integrating local renewable energy sources and energy storage technologies.
The analysis focuses on the optimal combination of photovoltaics and storage batteries, using payback period and life cycle cost analyses to evaluate economic viability. The results indicate that combining photovoltaics and storage batteries can significantly improve regional power self-sufficiency, forming a VPP with a total capacity of 13,771 kW. To ensure a balance between economic profitability and operational efficiency, the study introduces an Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) model to establish a commercial incentive agreement between energy supply and demand sides.
The economic benefits of the VPP are assessed under various scenarios by adjusting power plant investment shares and electricity prices on the demand side. The analysis shows that when the power plant side contributes 1/6 of the construction investment and the electricity price increases by 1.18 JPY/kWh, both the supply and demand sides achieve optimal returns. For the power plant side, the introduction of VPPs increases profits by 27.8% compared to the expansion of a conventional LNG-fired power plant. For the demand side, electricity costs decrease by 4.8% over a 30-year period compared to reliance on a 52,830 kW conventional LNG-fired power plant.
This study demonstrates that VPPs, supported by renewable energy and storage technologies, offer a viable pathway to enhance energy self-sufficiency and economic benefits while reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. The findings highlight the potential of VPPs as a sustainable energy solution, fostering both environmental and economic advantages in Japan’s energy landscape.