The paper discusses the emerging technology that is Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) as a means for smart Power Management solutions. It discusses the features and functionalities of VPPs and the current projects being implemented.

1. Virtual​ ​Power​ ​Plants:​ ​Decentralized​ ​and​ ​Efficient
Power​ ​Distribution
Akshay​ ​Mahajan,​ ​Katarina​ ​Labuguen,​ ​Khalid​ ​Qureshi,​ ​Shafkat​ ​Chowdhury,​ ​Vincent​ ​Yeh
Department​ ​of​ ​Electrical​ ​and​ ​Computer​ ​Engineering
University​ ​of​ ​California,​ ​San​ ​Diego
La​ ​Jolla,​ ​CA,​ ​USA
a1mahaja@ucsd.edu,​ ​klabuguen@ieee.org,​ ​kmquresh@ucsd.edu,​ ​s6chowdh@ucsd.edu,​ ​vkyeh@ucsd.edu
Abstract​—Virtual power plants (VPPs) may be used to integrate
distributed generation (DG) units into one unified solution for
decentralized power generation. As the penetration of DG increases
globally, the VPP becomes an essential control and distribution
system for the future. However, using this system gives rise to a
number of issues within the topic of security, and may possibly leave
the grid open to cyber attacks. This is due to VPP’s dependence on
Web-connected software and internet of things (IoT) technologies.
Other main concerns include cost efficiency, resource management,
as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​system​ ​integration​ ​and​ ​control.
Index Terms ​-- Virtual power plants, Decentralized power
distribution, Optimal energy management, Distributed control,
Cyber​ ​security,​ ​Smart​ ​grids
I. INTRODUCTION
Soaring energy prices and inefficient power flow issues have
pushed the electrical power industry to take innovative steps to
tackle these issues. Virtual power plants (VPPs) are a relatively
new and innovative approach to improving the inefficient
distribution and generation of energy resources and redefines the
energy flow topology in the existing market. This paper will
discuss the definition of a VPP, possible uses for them, as well
as how they can improve central grid resilience. In addition, this
paper will discuss the energy crisis in Australia and how VPPs
may be utilized to strengthen its power grid. Although VPPs are
an efficient means to accomplish generation and distribution of
energy resources, the network structure of a VPP leaves it prone
to cyber security issues and the possible fall-outs of the
implementation of a VPP. They also face challenges such as
competition with other large utility companies and integration
problems, particularly with software. Despite these challenges,
VPPs are already being implemented by technology providers
and grid operators across the globe, providing tangible benefits to
all​ ​parties​ ​involved.
II. WHAT​ ​IS​ ​A​ ​VIRTUAL​ ​POWER​ ​PLANT​ ​(VPP)?
A virtual power plant uses software and internet of things
(IoT) technologies with distributed generators to create one
decentralized power station, providing robustness and efficiency.
This means a VPP is essentially a group of geographically
dispersed generators and batteries, and these generators often
come in the form of intermittent and renewable energy resources
such as wind farms or home-based solar panels. All of these have
their own batteries which are connected to a central station which
monitors the entire grid and and controls them to optimize power
flow within the grid. For example, when certain areas of the grid
are experiencing power flow issues, the VPP can see which areas
have excess storage or generation and use them to lighten the
stress​ ​on​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grid.
III. HOW​ ​DOES​ ​IT​ ​WORK?
A virtual power plant uses a secured network to interconnect
small, disparate energy resources to automatically dispatch and
optimize generation and storage of resources [1]. It employs
intricate planning, scheduling, and bidding of distributed energy
resources (DERs), which mainly contain micro-gas generators
(MGGs), wind generators (WGs), photovoltaic systems (PVs),
and batteries (BEs) to provide reliable power 24 hours a day
[2]-[3]. VPP comprises of an aggregation of customers (i.e.
residential, commercial, or industrial) segregated under type of
programs​ ​and​ ​locations​ ​in​ ​the​ ​distribution​ ​topology​ ​[4].
Figure​ ​1.​ ​Illustration​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Virtual​ ​Power​ ​Plant

2. A. Grouping​ ​customers​ ​for​ ​improved​ ​forecasting
Participants (customers) with different socio-economic standing
and philosophies will respond differently to programs initiated by
the central VPP. Therefore, aggregating all of these customers
together into one forecast limits the ability for utilities to truly
understand which customers may be more reliable in program
participation compared to others. Segregation of customers under
different programs provide the utility with improved forecast and
analytical information about their contribution to the utility [4].
Grouping also enables the utility to assess the customer’s
capacity from the same program but a different group structure,
which improves the demand response rate. By assigning
attributes such as capacity limitation, program execution
constraint (where utility cannot shed customer’s usage), customer
payments (i.e cost of running the program), opt-out limits, the
utilities can therefore determine which VPPs should be called
upon​ ​the​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​utilities​ ​operation​ ​portfolio​ ​[4].
B. Interconnect​ ​of​ ​VPP​ ​with​ ​utility​ ​grid​ ​operations
Analytics of substation VPPs is relayed back to the utility for
producing forecast of each VPP within the distribution model.
This information can further assess the VPPs capacity and
demand responsiveness when linked with the Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or Distribution
Management System (DMS) operated by the utility [4]. The
utility can then assign a VPP to a feeder at real-time, hourly, or
daily depending on the availability of the VPP. When a power
flow issue occurs or an outage is located, the SCADA/DMS
system could designate the appropriate VPP to help stabilize the
load.​[4]
Figure​ ​2.​ ​VPP​ ​substations​ ​connected​ ​to​ ​the​ ​grid
C. Enhancing​ ​VPP​ ​and​ ​grid​ ​resilience​ ​using​ ​energy​ ​storage
Energy storage improves the VPPs responsivity to fluctuating
loads and helps provide a buffer to optimize DER. It is a critical
component of service delivery by providing load leveling
services and bulk storage in order to reduce transmission and
distribution losses. Common storage technologies for VPP-based
ancillary services include lithium-ion batteries and flywheels [5].
Lithium-ion batteries are installed for large scale storage that
improves the resilience of both VPPs and microgrids. Although
less flexible, flywheels have extremely long lifespans (i.e., the
number of times they can be charged and discharged before the
unit breaks down) and can provide the grid regulation services
instantaneously​ ​[5].
IV. CASE​ ​STUDY:​ ​AUSTRALIA
In recent years, Australia has been facing a number of
problems in their power grid such as unreliability, and scarce
energy supply. On September 28, the 2016 South Australian
blackout occurred when a particularly damaging storm caused
electrical infrastructure to fail. As a result, the entire state of
South Australia lost its electricity supply except for Kangaroo
Island, which had a self-sufficient grid apart from the main grid
[6]. This grid shutdown was caused by cascading failures where
one damaged element shifted load to another element. This
causes it to overload and fail and try to shift its load to yet
another element which creates a chain reaction of failures. While
the storm was described as a “once-in-50-year” storm, the fact
that the entire Australian state (which is over twice the
geographical size of California) except for Kangaroo Island lost
electrical access shows deep problems in the infrastructure of
Australia’s​ ​grid.
Since then, the state of Australia’s energy problems
have not improved by much. Early in May 2017, the
multinational mining giant Glencore stated that Australia is not
meeting its energy needs and will face demand destruction in
their energy market [7]. Because of a prolonged period of high
prices or constrained supply, Australia may receive a permanent
loss of demand for energy. For example, Rio Tinto, one of the
world’s largest metals and mining corporations, was forced to cut
output at the Boyne aluminum smelter by 14% because they were
unable to find enough affordable electricity. The company has its
own power station which was able to account for 85% of
Boyne’s energy consumption, and they had been buying the rest
of the energy they needed. However, Boyne stated in January
2017 that power prices have doubled since October 2014 which
incentivized them to simply cut production, costing over 100
employees their jobs, costing Rio Tinto over 80,000 tonnes of

3. aluminum exports per year, and costing Australia permanent loss
of​ ​energy​ ​demand​ ​[7].
For a country with a huge amount of natural resources
such as gas, coal, and uranium, it seems strange that Australia is
having such a difficult time being able to provide enough reliable
energy to its citizens. However, while Australia has plenty of
resources, too much of it is exported overseas to profit energy
companies instead of being used to ensure that there is enough
for domestic use [8]. On top of this, Australia has not had the
best renewable energy production in the past, with renewables
accounting for less than 4% of nationally generated electricity in
2006. Fortunately, Australia has been taking action on this front,
and by the end of 2015, Australia’s renewable sources accounted
for almost 15% of their national generation and they have a
renewable​ ​energy​ ​target​ ​set​ ​for​ ​25%​ ​by​ ​the​ ​year​ ​2020​ ​[9].
Ultimately, some of the major issues that Australia is
facing in its energy crisis are the reliability and robustness of
their grid and being able to balance the supply and demand of
energy. Right now Australia’s infrastructure is not robust enough
as illustrated by the 2016 South Australian blackout, and they are
not able to provide enough affordable energy to supply their own
nation’s demand as illustrated by Rio Tinto’s decision to
downsize as a result of energy costs. Therefore, the goal now is
to improve the infrastructure of the grid to provide more
reliability and to increase energy supply by either drilling for
more raw resources, exporting less, or increasing renewable
energy​ ​production.
V.​ ​​ ​WHAT​ ​IS​ ​THE​ ​SOLUTION?
​ ​​The​ ​VPP​ ​can​ ​provide​ ​reliability​ ​and​ ​stability​ ​to
Australia’s​ ​grid​ ​through​ ​various​ ​means.​ ​The​ ​VPP​ ​is​ ​a​ ​viable
solution​ ​to​ ​several​ ​of​ ​Australia’s​ ​energy​ ​issues​ ​due​ ​to​ ​its
reliability,​ ​cost​ ​reduction,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​reduction​ ​in​ ​emissions​ ​and
consumption,​ ​thus​ ​leading​ ​to​ ​higher​ ​supply.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​the
advantages​ ​of​ ​implementing​ ​a​ ​VPP,​ ​is​ ​that​ ​it​ ​allows​ ​utilities​ ​to
aggregate​ ​customers​ ​into​ ​different​ ​segments​ ​which​ ​is​ ​usually
based​ ​on​ ​location​ ​or​ ​distribution.​ ​​ ​The​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​differentiate
customers​ ​based​ ​on​ ​location​ ​or​ ​distribution​ ​is​ ​useful​ ​in​ ​improving
the​ ​reliability​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​infrastructure​ ​due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​it
allows​ ​better​ ​forecast​ ​and​ ​analytical​ ​information​ ​about​ ​the
customers​ ​and​ ​groups​ ​[10].​ ​​ ​Better​ ​forecasting​ ​allows​ ​greater
control​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​in​ ​the​ ​sense​ ​that​ ​it​ ​gives​ ​utilities​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to
optimize​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​network​ ​and​ ​determine​ ​when​ ​to​ ​reduce​ ​peak
loads,​ ​generation​ ​costs​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​emissions[10].​​ ​​In​ ​addition,
VPPs​ ​also​ ​have​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​react​ ​quickly​ ​and​ ​concisely​ ​to
varying​ ​load​ ​conditions​ ​in​ ​real​ ​time​ ​which,​ ​along​ ​with
forecasting,​ ​provides​ ​strong​ ​support​ ​against​ ​the​ ​blackouts​ ​and
load​ ​problems​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​[11].​ ​This​ ​can​ ​be​ ​accomplished​ ​by
taking​ ​solar​ ​energy​ ​stored​ ​in​ ​batteries​ ​located​ ​in​ ​local
neighborhoods,​ ​when​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​demand​ ​during​ ​peak​ ​demand​ ​time
[12].​ ​When​ ​there​ ​isn't​ ​a​ ​​ ​high​ ​demand,​ ​the​ ​VPP​ ​can​ ​instead​ ​take
solar​ ​energy​ ​and​ ​store​ ​it​ ​in​ ​the​ ​batteries​ ​[12].​ ​​ ​Essentially,​ ​a​ ​VPP
supports​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​in​ ​times​ ​of​ ​instability​ ​and​ ​sends​ ​electricity​ ​to
homes​ ​in​ ​periods​ ​of​ ​peak​ ​demand​ ​[10].​ ​​ ​As​ ​discussed​ ​previously,
Australia​ ​has​ ​faced​ ​cascading​ ​failures​ ​and​ ​consequently,​ ​there’s
has​ ​been​ ​several​ ​blackouts.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​solve​ ​this​ ​issue,​ ​it​ ​is
important​ ​that​ ​the​ ​operation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​system​ ​is​ ​thoroughly
monitored​ ​so​ ​that​ ​when​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​junction​ ​is​ ​problematic,​ ​then​ ​the
that​ ​junction​ ​can​ ​be​ ​disconnected​ ​from​ ​other​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grid
[13].​ ​Alternatively,​ ​a​ ​safety​ ​margin​ ​for​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​can​ ​be
implemented​ ​through​ ​computer​ ​software​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that
the​ ​operating​ ​levels​ ​are​ ​at​ ​a​ ​safe​ ​level​ ​[13].​ ​A​ ​VPP​ ​is​ ​ideal​ ​in
regards​ ​to​ ​Australia's​ ​cascading​ ​problems​ ​due​ ​to​ ​it’s​ ​ability​ ​to
react​ ​quickly​ ​to​ ​load​ ​variations​ ​and​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​operate​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​and
distributed​ ​generators​ ​virtually.
Although​ ​reliability​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​has​ ​been​ ​a​ ​consistent
issue​ ​for​ ​Australia,​ ​the​ ​high​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​electricity,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​lack​ ​of
supply,​ ​have​ ​also​ ​played​ ​an​ ​important​ ​role​ ​in​ ​Australia’s​ ​energy
issues.​ ​​ ​A​ ​VPP​ ​is​ ​an​ ​ideal​ ​solution​ ​to​ ​Australia's​ ​problems​ ​​ ​due​ ​to
the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​it​ ​uses​ ​solar​ ​battery​ ​systems​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​power
homes​ ​and​ ​business,​ ​which​ ​not​ ​only​ ​stabilizes​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​during
peak​ ​demand​ ​time,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​also​ ​reduces​ ​cost​ ​and​ ​provides​ ​a​ ​surplus
of​ ​electricity​ ​[12].​ ​Furthermore,​ ​the​ ​VPPs​ ​main​ ​function​ ​is​ ​to
optimize​ ​energy​ ​that​ ​is​ ​being​ ​produced​ ​by​ ​renewable​ ​energy
sources​ ​such​ ​as​ ​solar​ ​panels,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​store​ ​that​ ​energy​ ​in​ ​batteries
[12].​ ​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​advantageous​ ​due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​it​ ​gives​ ​the​ ​option
to​ ​decide​ ​what​ ​happens​ ​to​ ​the​ ​stored​ ​energy.​ ​​ ​For​ ​instance,​ ​​ ​the
stored​ ​energy​ ​​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​​ ​to​ ​power​ ​homes​ ​efficiently​ ​through
the​ ​VPP​ ​and​ ​consequently​ ​the​ ​price​ ​of​ ​electricity​ ​is​ ​reduced​ ​for
the​ ​consumer​ ​[10]​ ​.On​ ​the​ ​other​ ​hand,​ ​the​ ​stored​ ​energy​ ​can​ ​also
be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​stabilize​ ​the​ ​grid​ ​in​ ​peak​ ​demand​ ​times.​ ​The​ ​​ ​VPP
allows​ ​efficient​ ​control​ ​of​ ​the​ ​power​ ​being​ ​produced​ ​and
consequently​ ​​ ​emissions,​ ​along​ ​with​ ​congestion​ ​and​ ​losses​ ​on​ ​the
line,​ ​are​ ​reduced.​ ​As​ ​line​ ​losses​ ​are​ ​reduced,​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​power
loss​ ​decreases,​ ​which​ ​results​ ​in​ ​higher​ ​amounts​ ​of​ ​power
available​ ​to​ ​be​ ​used.​ ​​ ​Essentially,​ ​an​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​VPPs
solves​ ​Australia's​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​power​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​high​ ​electricity​ ​costs.
VI.​ ​CHALLENGES​ ​AND​ ​ISSUES
Although VPPs have proved to be an effective means of
efficiently integrating a variety of DER into the grid, there
remains a few issues that may arise in the topics of cybersecurity,
regulation, and integration. Because of its reliance on software
systems that are connected to the Internet, this cloud-based
network of energy resources is especially susceptible to cyber
security breaches. In addition, VPPs must confront regulatory
issues and competition with larger utility companies. Finally,
because of the large network of DER that the VPP must integrate

4. with​ ​the​ ​grid,​ ​it​ ​may​ ​naturally​ ​face​ ​some​ ​issues​ ​with​ ​integration
On December 22, 2015, Ukraine experienced an
unprecedented cyber attack on the Ivano-Frankivsk region’s grid
control center in Prykarpattyaoblenergo. A total of roughly thirty
substations were taken offline, and two more power distribution
centers were attacked, taking down an even greater number of
substations [14]. In addition, the control centers’ backup power
was disabled by the attackers which left the grid operators in the
dark, and made it even more difficult to restore power back to its
residents. The attack left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians
without power. Although power was eventually restored to the
residents of Ivano-Frankivsk within a few hours, not all the
control centers were fully operational even months after being
hacked. An investigation determined that the hackers rewrote the
firmware on 16 substations, and were no longer able to respond
to commands sent remotely from the control centers [14]. This
meant that the grid operators now had to control the breakers
manually. Although the attack offers insight into the security
issues that larger smart grids and virtual power plants in
particular may face, it is an example of just how vulnerable any
cloud connected power distribution system can be - as well as the
problems​ ​that​ ​may​ ​occur​ ​with​ ​poorly​ ​secured​ ​control​ ​systems.
Because VPPs are relatively new in the power industry,
some regulators are struggling with the same issues that affect
newer microgrids. Problems such as regulatory issues that deal
with the legal use of utility wires as well as payment
compensation for power exchange must be heavily discussed
with regulators [15]. Although some laws automatically give
VPPs access to the utility lines, others may not, which can add to
regulation challenges [15]. In addition, VPPs face competition
with other large utility companies who dominate the utilities
industry,​ ​which​ ​may​ ​further​ ​complicate​ ​the​ ​expansion​ ​of​ ​​ ​VPPs.
Finally one of the biggest obstacles that the VPP market
faces in pushing for expansion is its software. Because it’s
necessary for a number of energy resources to be integrated with
one another, the VPPs face issues with software that could handle
a large variety of these resources [16]. Unfortunately, current
software is not capable of integrating as many resources as
desired.
V.​ ​THE​ ​FUTURE​ ​OF​ ​VPPS
Since​ ​the​ ​2016​ ​blackout,​ ​Australia’s​ ​industry​ ​and
regulatory​ ​landscape​ ​has​ ​taken​ ​a​ ​favorable​ ​stance​ ​for​ ​virtual
power​ ​plant​ ​enablers.​ ​The​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​2017​ ​marked​ ​the
beginning​ ​of​ ​Audrey​ ​Zibelman’s​ ​term​ ​as​ ​the​ ​CEO​ ​of​ ​the
Australian​ ​Energy​ ​Market​ ​Operator​ ​(AEMO),​ ​a​ ​testament​ ​to
Australia’s​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​solving​ ​their​ ​energy​ ​crisis.​ ​Formerly
New​ ​York’s​ ​top​ ​utility​ ​regulator,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​founder​ ​of​ ​Viridity
Energy,​ ​the​ ​US-based​ ​VPP​ ​software​ ​provider,​ ​Audrey
Zibelman’s​ ​tenure​ ​is​ ​attracting​ ​many​ ​VPP​ ​software​ ​companies​ ​to
Australia​ ​[18].​ ​A​ ​few​ ​such​ ​companies​ ​include​ ​San​ ​Francisco
based​ ​energy​ ​storage​ ​software​ ​provider,​ ​Geli,​ ​and​ ​established
German​ ​BEs​ ​manufacturer​ ​and​ ​installer,​ ​SonnenBatterie,​ ​into​ ​the
market​ ​in​ ​hopes​ ​of​ ​leveraging​ ​their​ ​well-tested​ ​technology​ ​in​ ​a
market​ ​ripe​ ​for​ ​innovation.​ ​Coordination​ ​between​ ​these
technology​ ​providers​ ​and​ ​Australian​ ​utilities​ ​and​ ​operators​ ​is
already​ ​bearing​ ​fruit,​ ​as​ ​demonstrated​ ​by​ ​AGL​ ​Energy​ ​Limited
and​ ​their​ ​current​ ​VPP​ ​pilot​ ​project.
In​ ​March​ ​2017,​ ​AGL​ ​Energy​ ​Limited,​ ​a​ ​South
Australian​ ​utility​ ​company,​ ​announced​ ​the​ ​launch​ ​of​ ​a​ ​5MW,
residential​ ​VPP​ ​in​ ​Adelaide,​ ​the​ ​capital​ ​city​ ​of​ ​South​ ​Australia.
Set​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​in​ ​2018,​ ​AGL’s​ ​project​ ​is​ ​intended​ ​to​ ​become​ ​the
world’s​ ​largest​ ​commercial​ ​VPP​ ​to​ ​date.​ ​Through​ ​a​ ​partnership
with​ ​San​ ​Francisco​ ​based​ ​BEs​ ​control​ ​software​ ​provider,
Sunverge​ ​Energy,​ ​AGL​ ​aggregates​ ​5MW​ ​of​ ​capacity​ ​offered​ ​by
60+​ ​intelligently​ ​connected​ ​BEs,​ ​from​ ​1000​ ​homes​ ​equipped
with​ ​solar​ ​PV​ ​panels​ ​[11].​ ​Split​ ​across​ ​three​ ​phases​ ​of
development,​ ​the​ ​first​ ​phase​ ​of​ ​developing​ ​software​ ​controls​ ​with
Sunverge​ ​has​ ​been​ ​completed​ ​as​ ​of​ ​March​ ​2017.​ ​The​ ​VPP​ ​has
already​ ​produced​ ​more​ ​than​ ​300kW​ ​of​ ​battery​ ​capacity,​ ​and
200kW​ ​of​ ​solar​ ​capacity,​ ​and​ ​delivered​ ​over​ ​10,000kWh​ ​of
electricity-​ ​saving​ ​customers​ ​an​ ​estimated​ ​$500​ ​AUD​ ​on​ ​their
yearly​ ​energy​ ​bill​ ​[17].​ ​With​ ​the​ ​tangible​ ​benefit​ ​provided​ ​to​ ​both
AGL’s​ ​end​ ​users​ ​and​ ​AGL’s​ ​value​ ​chain,​ ​other​ ​electricity
providers​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​are​ ​eager​ ​to​ ​reap​ ​similar​ ​benefit.
CONCLUSION
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)’s chief
executive, Ivor Frischknecht, recently estimated that demand
management from VPP technology can potentially supply
anywhere from 20-50% of Australia’s current peak demand.
With the falling prices of solar and storage, and the global push
for renewables, there will be an ever increasing demand from
grid operators to gain control and visibility over these assets. It
will take the collective effort of grid operators, regulators,
technology providers, and prosumers in order to push VPP
technology to the forefront. While all parties are some way away
from being ready for such a new world, they can see the future
lies​ ​in​ ​that​ ​direction.
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