The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has approved a 200MW expansion of utility Xcel Energy’s Capacity*Connect virtual power plant (VPP) programme.

Ed Gunn, VP of revenue at home battery storage and virtual power plant (VPP) specialist Lunar Energy, on the market’s recent past and future potential.

Distributed energy resources (DERs) are emerging as potential solutions for consumers seeking independence and relief from rising energy costs.

The Illinois General Assembly’s passing of a major energy bill, including a 3GW energy storage target, has been welcomed by environmental advocacy groups and trade associations.

The non-profit Energy Policy Design Institute (EPDI) has launched the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Convergence Project, with an advisory group that includes Jigar Shah, former director of the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.

The capacity of virtual power plants in North America has reached 37.5GW, a 13.7% year-on-year growth, according to Wood Mackenzie.

A 535MW fleet of aggregated household battery storage systems, including Tesla Powerwalls, effectively reduced net load on the California grid in a recent test event.  

Australia’s AGL Energy has acquired Tesla’s South Australia Virtual Power Plant with plans to expand the initiative.

Energy storage virtual power plant (VPP) provider Sonnen has launched its first VPP in Canada with utility Epcor, electric retail provider Solartility, the University of Alberta and construction company Landmark Homes.

Home battery systems company Haven Energy and California utility Clean Energy Alliance (CEA)  have partnered to provide homeowners in the state with battery energy storage systems (BESS) at no purchase or installation cost.