Articles tagged with "virtual-power-plant"
Illinois Passes Clean Energy Bill Expected to Save Residents $13 Billion - CleanTechnica
Illinois has passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, a significant clean energy bill aimed at boosting renewable energy and reducing electricity costs for residents. The legislation mandates the development of 3 gigawatts of battery storage and the creation of a Virtual Pilot Program, which together are projected to save Illinois families and businesses approximately $13 billion on electricity bills over the next 20 years. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor J.B. Pritzker, who is expected to approve it. The act has been praised by industry leaders, including Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, who highlighted its potential to meet rising electricity demand while maintaining affordability and grid resilience. The bill is also seen as a model for other states, demonstrating how investments in solar, storage, and virtual power plants can simultaneously drive job creation, clean energy growth, and cost savings. This legislation is particularly notable given the current federal government's less supportive stance on clean energy, positioning Illinois as a leader in
energyclean-energyrenewable-energybattery-storagesolar-powerenergy-legislationvirtual-power-plantHow Ava Community Energy Is Saving Millions Of Dollars - CleanTechnica
Ava Community Energy has saved residents of Stockton and Lathrop over $4.4 million on energy bills within just six months by offering its Bright Choice plan, which provides a 5% discount on electricity generation rates compared to PG&E. Ava became the default electricity provider for these cities on April 1, 2025, enabling customers to benefit immediately from these savings. The agency achieves lower rates by competitively purchasing clean power, operating with low overhead as a local government entity, and reinvesting excess revenue into the community rather than paying dividends to shareholders. In addition to cost savings, Ava supports electric vehicle (EV) adoption through various programs. For home EV charging, Ava partners with Optiwatt to manage charging times, aligning them with periods of abundant and cheaper renewable energy to reduce grid strain. Ava also launched a public fast-charging network, starting with a location in downtown Oakland, to serve those without home charging access. Furthermore, Ava offers incentives and resources to help customers transition to
energyclean-energyrenewable-powerelectric-vehiclesvirtual-power-plantenergy-savingsmanaged-chargingIllinois Lawmakers Can Fight Rising Energy Costs During Veto Session - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the urgent need for Illinois lawmakers to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) during the upcoming veto session to address soaring energy costs. Illinois is currently experiencing record-high energy prices, with average homeowners facing increases of up to $46 per month due to insufficient electricity supply. Without legislative action, energy prices are expected to continue rising, exacerbated by recent federal policies that reduce clean energy incentives and increase costs for households and businesses. The Illinois Environmental Council warns that these federal actions could add $400 annually to household energy bills and raise commercial power costs by 21%, threatening the state’s economic stability and clean energy job growth. The CRGA aims to provide both immediate and long-term relief by expanding Illinois’ energy supply through investments in energy storage and the creation of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program. Energy storage systems can store excess electricity when prices are low and release it during peak demand, while VPPs aggregate distributed energy resources to support the grid quickly
energyclean-energyenergy-storagevirtual-power-plantIllinois-energy-policyrenewable-energyenergy-affordabilityTesla is recalling Powerwall 2 batteries over fire risk
Tesla is recalling its Powerwall 2 home battery units in Australia due to fire risks, following reports of fires causing minor property damage. The recall affects Powerwall 2 units manufactured in the U.S. and sold between November 2020 and June 2022, with battery cells supplied by an unnamed third party. Although no injuries have been reported, the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is overseeing the recall process. The Powerwall 2, which stores 14 kWh of lithium-ion battery capacity and is typically installed alongside solar panels, can also be enrolled in a virtual power plant program to support the electrical grid and extend the warranty up to 15 years. Tesla is notifying affected customers via its app and is actively discharging recalled batteries to mitigate fire risks. Replacement units will be provided free of charge, and the company may offer compensation for lost energy savings on a case-by-case basis, according to the ACCC.
energyTesla-Powerwallbattery-recalllithium-ion-batterieshome-energy-storagevirtual-power-plantrenewable-energyAmericans For Prosperity Comes For Vermont Voters - Part One - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the incursion of Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a Koch-backed conservative advocacy group, into Vermont’s political landscape. Vermont is portrayed as a state known for its natural beauty, pragmatic and tolerant populace, and progressive environmental policies, including early adoption of Superfund-like environmental laws and support for virtual power plant technology. The state’s political makeup is described as balanced, with a Democratic legislature, a Republican governor, and an independent senator. AFP, led in the region by Ross Connolly, views Vermont’s progressive policies negatively and is attempting to influence local politics by promoting a right-wing agenda that opposes affordable healthcare access, reproductive rights, and science-based education. AFP’s efforts in Vermont have so far met with limited success, exemplified by a poorly attended rally and a lack of local operatives actively spreading their message. The group’s opposition to Vermont’s heat pump initiative—an energy efficiency program aimed at reducing reliance on propane and oil heating—is highlighted as a key example of their agenda
energyclean-energyclimate-sciencevirtual-power-plantenvironmental-policyrenewable-energyVermont-energy-policyCalifornia VPP Links 100,000 Residential Storage Batteries - CleanTechnica
On July 29, 2025, California made history by linking approximately 100,000 residential battery storage units in a large-scale Virtual Power Plant (VPP) test, collectively supplying about 535 megawatts of electricity to the grid during peak demand hours. This initiative, led by PG&E in partnership with Tesla and Sunrun, demonstrated the ability of distributed batteries to respond quickly, reliably, and in coordination to support grid stability without causing blackouts or emergencies. The test involved customers across Northern, Central, and Southern California, including underserved and rural communities prone to outages, highlighting the potential of VPPs to alleviate grid stress and reduce reliance on fossil fuel power plants. The California Public Utilities Commission and California Energy Commission have developed programs like the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP) and Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) to incentivize electricity reduction or backup power provision during peak stress periods. The July 29 test served as a real-world rehearsal to validate these programs and the operational
energybattery-storagevirtual-power-plantgrid-managementrenewable-energydemand-responseclean-energy-programsLeap Powers National Grid’s Virtual Power Plant Initiative in Massachusetts - CleanTechnica
National Grid, one of the largest energy utilities, has expanded its collaboration with Leap to implement virtual power plant (VPP) solutions at selected facilities in Massachusetts, following a successful pilot in New York. Using Leap’s software-only platform, National Grid’s office buildings will participate in Massachusetts’ Clean Peak Standard and ConnectedSolutions programs, which incentivize reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods. This initiative aims to enhance grid reliability, lower carbon emissions, and support the state’s climate goals by leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, EV chargers, and HVAC systems to balance grid demand without relying heavily on fossil-fueled peaker plants. The collaboration highlights the growing role of grid-interactive buildings as valuable resources in the energy transition. National Grid’s Vice President of New England Operations emphasized the importance of demonstrating distributed energy solutions’ critical role in advancing clean energy and resilience. Leap’s technology aggregates DER loads into virtual power plants, enabling participation in energy markets and helping to reduce customer costs
energyvirtual-power-plantdistributed-energy-resourcesgrid-reliabilityclean-energyenergy-transitionsmart-gridHaven Energy & Clean Energy Alliance Launch Free Battery Storage Program For Eligible California Homeowners - CleanTechnica
Haven Energy and the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) have launched the Battery Bonus Connect program, offering free home battery storage systems to income-eligible homeowners in San Diego County, including cities like Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Solana Beach. Funded by California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program, the initiative targets homeowners who participate in CEA’s PeakSmart Savers virtual power plant program and meet income criteria (generally 80% or less of area median income or enrollment in assistance programs). The program covers full installation, ten years of maintenance, and support with no upfront costs, credit checks, or long-term contracts. After ten years, homeowners can keep the system at no cost or purchase it at fair market value. The installed batteries will be integrated into a virtual power plant managed by Haven Energy, which uses stored energy during peak grid demand to ease grid pressure while reserving at least 20% capacity for homeowners’ personal use. This approach enhances energy reliability, reduces reliance on
energybattery-storageclean-energyvirtual-power-plantrenewable-energyenergy-resiliencehome-energy-systemsShell Subsidiary sonnen Heats Up Virtual Power Plant Race In Texas
energyvirtual-power-plantTexas-electricity-gridenergy-storagesolar-energygrid-stabilityrenewable-energyCalifornia’s Energy Revolution: Sunrun Quadruples Virtual Power Plant Ahead Of Summer
energyvirtual-power-plantdecentralized-powerCalifornia-energyelectricity-demandrenewable-energybackup-power