Decentralized Grid Magazine
Energy Changemakers Offers Three-Part Series on the Competitive Struggle Over Who Controls Virtual Power Plants
Who will capture the market for virtual power plants? Competitive distributed energy companies or utilities? Or is there room for both?
A Decades-Long Battle Between Utilities and Competitors Finds Its Next Front in Minnesota’s Virtual Power Plant Market
Independent developers and advocacy groups fear that, if approved, the Minnesota program will create a model that other utilities nationwide may follow, undercutting competition in the distributed energy market.
Xcel Energy Colorado Preserves Customer Ownership, Local Energy Benefits of Virtual Power Plants
Unlike programs under which the utility procures and owns distributed energy resources — such as Xcel’s Minnesota program — Xcel’s Colorado pilot avoids utility spending that would be passed through to electricity rates.
Jigar Shah’s Surprising Stand on This Utility Program
Jigar Shah explains why he supports the Xcel Minnesota virtual power plant program in an Energy Changemakers Podcast.
Where Money Flowed in the Electricity Sector Last Year
Last year clean energy spending remained flat, but grid investment was up 9.5%.
Local Energy Gains Stature in Climate Discussions
Solving climate issues with distributed energy makes even more sense following Trump’s rollback of the endangerment finding.