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xcel-minnesota-virtual-power-plant
istock.com/photocanal25

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.

Elisa Wood
February 22, 2026

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.

Lisa Cohn
February 22, 2026

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.

Elisa Wood
February 22, 2026
clean energy spending
Shutterstock.com

Where Money Flowed in the Electricity Sector Last Year

Last year clean energy spending remained flat, but grid investment was up 9.5%.

Elisa Wood
February 19, 2026
Solving climate issues with distributed energy
Shutterstock.com

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.

Elisa Wood
February 15, 2026
Ithaca DER plan
Shutterstock.com

Has This City Figured Out How to Unlock the Local Value of Distributed Energy?

Ithaca, NY approved a plan to decarbonize independently from the grid using DERs, energy sharing, and dividend-paying ownership shares to community members.

Elisa Wood
February 8, 2026
New Jersey utilities must show how they will support DERs
Shutterstock.com

New Jersey Utilities Must Show How They Will Support DERs, Improve Hosting Capacity

New Jersey utilities must show how they will support DERs within 30 days to help meet “unprecedented” load growth from data centers.

Elisa Wood
February 7, 2026
Getting your data center over the finish line
Credit: Gerville/istock

How to Assure Your Data Center Will Make It Over the Finish Line

Getting your data center over the finish line becomes easier if you take these four steps to overcome energy supply hurdles.

Elisa Wood
February 1, 2026
distributed energy companies are shape shifting
Shutterstock.com

Distributed Energy Companies are Shape-Shifting

Distributed energy companies are shapeshifting as changing rules and growing markets create new opportunities.

Elisa Wood
January 31, 2026
Xendee’s 2026 Market Survey
Xendee’s 2026 Market Survey

Microgrid and DER Developers Are Pursuing More Complex Projects to Overcome Loss of Federal Incentives

Microgrid and DER developers remain bullish about their market and see projects growing in complexity.

Elisa Wood
January 21, 2026
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