Unionized Data Governance in Virtual Power Plants

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unionized data governance model for virtual power plants, addressing the lack of a formal governance framework in flexible electricity networks to improve decision-making and system coordination.

Contribution

It proposes principles for a unionized data governance model specifically tailored for virtual power plants, considering the system's inherent asymmetries.

Findings

Defines the problem of data governance in virtual power plants

Introduces the concept of unionization as a framing device

Provides principles for a unionized data governance model

Abstract

Flexible electricity networks continuously coordinate and optimize operations through ICT systems. An overlay data grid conveys information about the state of the electricity grid, as well as the status of demand and production of electricity in households and industry. Data is thus the basis for decisions that affect electricity costs and availability of assets on the electricity grid. It is crucial that these decisions are formed and monitored according to a well-defined governance model. No such data governance model exists today. In this paper, we focus on the central role of virtual power plants in flexible electricity networks. We define the problem of data governance in a virtual power plant, insisting on the issues linked to the inherent asymmetry of this system. We propose unionization as a framing device to reason about this issue. The central contribution of this paper is thus principles for a unionized data governance model for virtual power plants.