Renewable energy and cloud computing have revolutionized the energy sector. The push for sustainable energy has made clean energy systems the norm, spurring the rise of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).
DERs are small-scale energy assets such as photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging stations, batteries and heat pumps. Connecting these assets to the grid, and each other, can be challenging as most, do not communicate with each other. To properly utilize the full potential of these assets, real-time communication must occur between DERs and the grid, facilitated by the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. This is where distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) come in. DERMS are a combination of hardware and software that allow for seamless communication and control of multiple DERs. DERMS form the foundational step that enables other smart grid concepts such as virtual power plants (VPPs). DERMS become crucial in managing the rising DERs in a landscape where balancing supply and demand is increasingly important.
