Virtual plants gain steam, stabilise ops

BEIJING: At a shopping mall in heat wave-hit Jiangsu province, customers recently moved about comfortably as air conditioners continuously readjusted their electrical loads to ensure grid stability during peak hours.

This is a typical scenario demonstrating how a virtual power plant works. With scorching weather lingering and economic activity picking up, virtual power plants are gathering steam in China as it seeks ways to address the increasing electricity demand.