Fluctuations in the power supply system can be compensated with the help of a "virtual control power plant". Evonik Power Saar has been operating such a control power plant since September 2003 with a present output of 400 megawatts. Smaller and larger power plants with reserve capacities are linked together as required. The electricity is traded on the Internet, large quantities of data from the electricity industry aggregated in second, minute or 15-minute cycles and capacities redistributed.