The Bullet with Butterfly Wings: The Electrical Grid and YOU
Instructor
LeRenzo Malcolm
The electrical grid is one of the largest and most complex systems on the planet. What manages it? Software. Yikes.
In this workshop you’ll learn how Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) combine thousands of distributed energy devices—including rooftop solar, home batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers—into a single coordinated system.
This is not an electrical engineering course, it’s about how root level planet wide support systems function from the perspective of modern software development.
You may learn about distributed systems, IoT devices, cloud architecture, event-driven design, and the markets that make Virtual Power Plants economically viable, but nothing is certain in these chaotic times.
Participants will:
Simulate an electrical grid using physical tokens and role-playing
Build a simple software model of a Virtual Power Plant
Respond to "grid emergencies" like clouds, heat waves, and football matches
Experiment with the concepts of batteries, EV charging, and solar production
Discover why distributed systems are similar to distributed energy
No previous knowledge of energy systems or programming is required.
Laptop recommended for following along with demonstrations.
No prior knowledge of electrical engineering or programming is required.
Workshop size:
10-15 people
Sound system provided by Restless Audio: restless.audio
Event space sponsored by MotionLab Berlin: https://motionlab.berlin/
About AVJam:
AVJam is a platform for live music and visual performance, offering an evening dedicated to exploring and sharing immersive audiovisual experiences. Whether you're a creator, enthusiast, or curious explorer, AVJam offers a space to experience the synergy of technology and creativity in real-time. Join us for an electrifying night of innovation, expression, and sensory storytelling.
Code of conduct:
AVJam is a platform and community of visual artists and musicians designed to be inclusive and supportive of creativity. We do not tolerate state-sponsored genocide, homophobia, xenophobia, nazis, or trolls. We do our best to create a welcoming environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Event venue: MotionLab.Berlin in Alt-Treptow
Address: Bouchéstraße 12 Halle 20, 12435 Berlin (Google Maps)
Directions: Enter at Gate 3 on Jordanstrasse (see map below)