Canary Media reports on California's Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, facing over $100 million in proposed budget cuts, putting the future of virtual power plants at risk. United's Edson Perez cautioned that repeated funding cuts undermines California's efforts to keep the lights on during grid emergencies.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, California, Edson Perez, Virtual Power Plants
The Center Square covered a recent House Energy Committee hearing on electric transmission and emerging load growth in the Northeast. Industry experts, including United's Chloe Holden, spoke to the benefits of implementing grid-enhancing technologies, advanced transmission technologies, and virtual power plants as a way to meet growing energy demand.
Topics: United In The News, Transmission, Chloe Holden, Virtual Power Plants
The Community Energy Act (HB 2346/SB 1100) makes way for community-powered clean energy, cutting costs and boosting reliability
RICHMOND, VA — Today, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the Community Energy Act (HB 2346/SB 1100) into law. The new law directs Dominion Energy to launch a 450-megawatt virtual power plant pilot, allowing homes and businesses to aggregate solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, and smart devices into a flexible grid resource that can reduce peak demand, lower electricity costs, and improve grid reliability.
Topics: Virginia, Press Releases, Jim Purekal, Virtual Power Plants
Virtual power plant bills, Assembly Bills 740 and 44, advance in committee, now head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the California Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee passed two bills unanimously that would encourage the use of cleaner, faster, and more affordable power to meet the state's peak electricity demand. Both bills help support Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), which are made up of small-scale energy resources found in homes and businesses, like smart thermostats, home batteries, and electric vehicles. These resources can shift, store, and deliver clean energy during times of peak demand, reducing stress on the grid.
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez, Virtual Power Plants
Virginia Gov. Youngkin guts energy affordability measures passed by the General Assembly and plays politics with Virginia’s energy security
RICHMOND, VA – Last night, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced poison pill amendments designed to gut several key pieces of legislation the General Assembly passed to bring down costs for Virginia families and businesses.
“Earlier this year, leaders in the General Assembly put forward impactful legislation to expand the role of homes and businesses in the clean energy transition and to allow these projects to help keep the lights on and lower energy bills. Virginia needs leaders who take the job of policymaking seriously and use the positions they have been entrusted with to address the challenges faced by their constituents and the Commonwealth as whole. Rather than taking the opportunity to lead by signing these bills into law, Governor Youngkin instead took the opportunity to engage in partisan politics,” said United Virginia Policy Lead and Legislative Director Jim Purekal.
Topics: Press Releases, Jim Purekal, Virtual Power Plants, Solar, Battery Storage
In Texas, companies are pioneering virtual power plant (VPP) initiatives by offering homeowners at-home battery systems through a subscription model that supplies power back to the Texas grid. Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance's (TAEBA's) Matthew Boms spoke to San Antonio Express-News about the benefits of VPPs, encouraging the Texas government to invest in advanced energy technologies to increase grid reliability.
Topics: United In The News, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, Texas, Matthew Boms, Virtual Power Plants
PV Magazine reports on RE+ Northeast's panel "VPPs: Maximizing Their Value Through Smart Regulatory Choices," where several advanced energy experts, including United's Kat Burnham, discussed grid modernization strategies, and the role virtual power plants play in creating a more reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective grid.
Topics: United In The News, Kat Burnham, Virtual Power Plants
Businesses and community advocates are championing AB 740 to support long-term electricity affordability solutions through virtual power plants.
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, California Assemblymember John Harabedian introduced a new bill that will allow Californians to leverage proven low-cost energy solutions to help prevent dangerous blackouts and strengthen our power grid amidst growing electricity demand.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California, Edson Perez, Virtual Power Plants
Renewable Energy World reports that two bills, HB5856 and SB3959, are working their way through the Illinois General Assembly. The bills aim to establish Illinois' first energy storage mandate, increase grid resilience, and decrease energy costs for consumers. United's Trish Demeter spoke to the benefits of the bills and the importance of energy storage solutions to accommodate growing power demands within the state.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Trish Demeter, Virtual Power Plants
Utility Dive covers United's September 2024 webinar about expanding VPPs in the U.S., which was moderated by United’s Chloe Holden and featured panelists from member companies Ford, PowerFlex, and EnergyHub. The article showcases United's advocacy work to overcome barriers to scaling VPPs across the country.
Topics: United In The News, Webinar, Virtual Power Plants