Virtual power plant for industrial client
Heat pumps at an existing power plant converted into a downward regulation facility for system services — the heat pumps are switched on when the grid needs downward regulation, and the heat is simultaneously used to supply the local community. Meganet provides the control and communication with Energinet and the power plant.
Challenge, solution and result
Challenge
The power plant already had heat pumps with significant electrical flexibility, but no access to the ancillary services markets. The flexibility remained unused, even though the heat pumps could both consume electricity and supply heat to the local community at the same time.
Solution
Meganet connected the heat pumps to our VPP platform and established control and communication with both the power plant and Energinet. When the grid needs to downregulate, the heat pumps automatically turn on and consume power — while simultaneously sending heat to the local district heating supply.
Result
The power plant gains a new revenue stream from participating in the downward regulation markets (e.g., aFRR and mFRR) without investing in new production facilities—and without compromising heat delivery to the local community, which is, on the contrary, utilized better.
That is how it works
Heat pumps
The power plant's existing heat pumps act as a flexible electricity load that can be switched on and off according to the needs of the grid.
Management & Communication
Meganet provides the control layer that receives activation signals from Energinet and manages the heat pumps in real time.
District heating for the local community
The heat from the activation is utilized for district heating in the local community, so that downward regulation and heat supply occur simultaneously.
New revenue without new investment
The flexibility is converted into revenue through the system service markets, without requiring new production capacity.
About VPP for industrial customers
What is it that actually provides the downregulation here?
The power plant's existing heat pumps. They consume more electricity when Energinet needs downward regulation — and the heat produced in the process is sent on to the local district heating supply.
Does it require investment in a new production facility?
No. The case is based on an already existing power plant — Meganet's contribution is control, communication with Energinet, and market access, not a new physical installation.
Which system services does the facility participate in?
Primarily downward regulation via aFRR and mFRR, where the flexible electricity consumption of the heat pumps matches the market's need for increased power uptake.
Does it affect the heat supply to the local community?
No, on the contrary — the heat from activation is utilized directly for district heating, meaning that down-regulation and heat production occur simultaneously rather than being conflicting objectives.
How is the activation managed in practice?
Meganet's platform receives activation signals from Energinet and controls the heat pumps in real time, ensuring the power plant always meets the technical requirements for the delivery of system services.
Can the model be used for other power plants or heat pump facilities?
Yes. The principle—flexible electricity consumption combined with heat recovery—can be applied to other facilities with heat pumps, electric boilers, or similar power-to-heat technology.
Do you have a power plant or heat pump facility with unutilized flexibility?
We are mapping the flexibility of your assets and showing what participation in the ancillary services markets can specifically mean for you.