Tech giant Google, Tesla, utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and distributed energy resource (DER)-focused company Sunrun are launching a new virtual power plant (VPP) in California, US.

Two VPP bills are awaiting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature, meanwhile, Octopus Energy US has completed its investment in Uplight.

Rural and distributed battery energy storage system (BESS) projects could be emerging as critical infrastructure in the US as grid reliability risks intensify nationwide.

Scott Murtishaw, executive director at the California Energy Storage Alliance, discusses local opposition, safety misconceptions, and why the state’s containerised projects have proven safe.

In this US news roundup, BESS projects in California, Arizona, and Nevada advance from EDP Renewables, Tucson Electric Power, and EDF Power Solutions North America.

Utility Appalachian Power (APCo) is seeking up to 800MW total of energy storage resources via two new requests for proposals (RFPs) in Virginia, US.

California’s Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced two virtual power plant (VPP) bills aimed at reducing energy rates in the US state.

US-based startup Heron Power has selected Morgan Hill, California, to build its first power electronics manufacturing facility in the US.

A new report from climate consultancy Ember highlights the important relationship between energy storage and solar, unlocking the “era of anytime solar.”

Renewable energy developer-operator Arevon Energy has put its 300MW/1,200MWh Nighthawk Energy Storage Project in Poway, California, US into operation.