Virtual power plants (VPPs) are evolving from demonstration projects into grid resources as states increasingly recognize the ability of aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) to support a more flexible and resilient electric grid. Recent legislative measures, regulatory actions, and utility initiatives reflect the role of VPPs in resource planning and grid operations amid growing electricity demand.
PJM Interconnection LLC, which operates the grid across 13 states and the District of Columbia, is pursuing market, planning, and interconnection reforms as rapidly growing demand raises concerns about resource adequacy, infrastructure readiness, and consumer costs. The effort comes amid…Read the full report…...
PJM Interconnection LLC, which operates the grid across 13 states and the District of Columbia, is pursuing market, planning, and interconnection reforms as rapidly growing demand raises concerns about resource adequacy, infrastructure readiness, and consumer costs. The effort comes amid growing debate over ensuring reliability, attracting new generation investment, and allocating costs as electricity demand accelerates.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on June 4 announced a $1 billion strategic research partnership that makes Japan the first international participant in the Genesis Mission, a national initiative focused on accelerating scientific discovery through artificial intelligence (AI)…...
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on May 26 approved a site permit for Xcel Energy to develop the Sherco South and West Battery Energy Storage Project, a 600-megawatt battery facility planned at the site of the Sherburne County Generating Station in Becker, Minnesota. The decision advances Minnesota’s efforts to replace retiring coal-fired generation with battery…...
Utilities and regulators across the Western U.S. are advancing interconnection reforms, transmission expansion, and wildfire mitigation measures as rapid load growth and climate-related risks place increasing pressure on grid reliability. Recent actions by grid operators, federal regulators, and state policymakers indicate a growing emphasis on modernizing interconnection and transmission planning processes while embedding wildfire resilience into long-term reliability planning.
