In an era where the growing demand for reliable, sustainable, and efficient energy solutions is more critical than ever, collaboration has become the cornerstone of progress. Schneider Electric is proud to stand at the forefront of this progress through our active participation in the Virtual Protection Automation and Control (vPAC) Alliance.
The vPAC Alliance is a collaborative initiative uniting industry leaders, technology providers, and energy stakeholders to drive energy sector virtualization. With advanced digital technologies, like digital twins, the alliance aims to revolutionize how energy grids are managed and decarbonized, making them more flexible, efficient, and sustainable.
Grid flexibility for a dynamic energy landscape
Transitioning to a decarbonized energy landscape demands a shift in how we design, manage, and operate power grids. The increasing reliance on inverter-based energy sources, such as solar and wind, creates new challenges due to their inherent variability and intermittency.
Unlike traditional fossil fuel-based power plants, providing consistent and predictable energy output, renewable energy sources depend on weather conditions and time of day. This variability demands unprecedented levels of grid flexibility to maintain stability, reliability, and efficiency.
The vPAC Alliance plays an important role in overcoming these challenges by enabling the integration of diverse energy sources and energy storage systems. With this integration, the alliance helps create a more resilient and adaptable grid that balances supply and demand in real-time, which is essential for achieving global decarbonization goals and meeting electricity demand growth driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers.
Energy storage systems, in particular, are critical for storing excess energy generated during peak production periods and supplying it when demand is high or generation is low. This not only mitigates the intermittency of renewables but also enhances grid reliability.
Achieving a decarbonized energy future hinges on our ability to enhance grid flexibility. The vPAC Alliance and Schneider Electric are at the forefront of this transformation by providing solutions that integrate renewable energy sources while maintaining grid reliability.
Enhancing resilience via collaboration and innovation
Globally, today’s grids face many challenges, from natural disasters and cyber threats to energy supply and demand fluctuations. Schneider Electric and its vPAC partners integrate advanced digital technologies like IEC 61850 communication and data analytics into grid infrastructure to address this.
Virtual substations are emerging as a key innovation in this space. Unlike traditional substations, virtual substations use software-based systems to monitor and control real-time grid operations, allowing utilities to:
- Respond quickly to disruptions
- Optimize energy flow
- Maintain grid stability in challenging conditions
Through the vPAC Alliance, Schneider Electric collaborates with other leaders to develop and implement these solutions globally. By doing so, we are helping to build energy systems that are more resilient and capable of adapting to the evolving needs of the modern world.
Additionally, we are launching two new solutions within the U.S. to further our commitment to a more sustainable energy future:
- PowerLogic™ P7: Designed to enhance energy management capabilities and support the alliance’s goals, this device functions as the “virtual protection relay” (VPR) per the vPAC Alliance specification. As a high-end protection and control device for electrical power systems, it offers unparalleled flexibility, security, reliability, and efficiency, even in the most complex and demanding applications.
- PowerLogic T500: This next-generation substation controller for high-demand applications helps ensure seamless IT/OT integration, robust cybersecurity, and enhanced operational efficiency.
Listen to our podcast, where we discuss virtualization and its role in playing a game-changing contribution to how distribution utilities are overcoming major challenges.
Sustainability is a collective effort
The vPAC Alliance is a testament to the power of collaboration. By pooling resources, expertise, and innovative technologies, Schneider Electric and its partners are building energy systems that are resilient, flexible, and decarbonized.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to driving innovation and collaboration in the energy sector. Together, we can create a world where energy is reliable, efficient, and sustainable.
See you at DISTRIBUTECH 2025
Join us at DISTRIBUTECH 2025, the utility industry’s leading transmission and distribution event, in Dallas, TX, March 24th-27th @ Booth #1622, and you’ll have a chance to:
- Explore cutting-edge technologies from Schneider Electric and our partners.
- Attend insightful sessions and panel discussions on the latest energy management and grid modernization trends
- Network with industry leaders who are driving the energy transition.
- See how the vPAC Alliance is shaping the future of energy
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement toward a greener, smarter energy landscape. We look forward to seeing you there.
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