ML-optimized VPP controller for battery powered EV charging networks

A method of operating a virtual power plant (VPP) controller, that manages an electric vehicle (EV) charging station connected to a power grid, a battery storage system, and an independent power plant, includes: obtaining a first data set including time-series information of power output from the independent power plant; training a machine learning (ML) model that predicts power output from the independent power plant over a predetermined prediction horizon; obtaining a second data set including time-series information of: power demand information from the EV charging station; and power availability information from each of the battery storage system, the power grid, and the independent power plant; generating a predicted schedule of power output from the independent power plant over the predetermined prediction horizon; generating a command by inputting the second data set and the predicted schedule into an energy management system (EMS) policy.