Virtual Power Plants in 2030, a Balanced Perspective

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT

Location: Titian 2301, Level 2, The Venetian

Learning Level: 101: Applies to those with limited experience of the topic and seeking foundational understanding of the content.

There is a great deal of optimism and uncertainty around the role Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) will play in the energy future. Given the increasingly more favorable regulatory tailwinds at the national level, as well as successful capital formation and progressive rates that are being introduced by some utilities, EV and solar and storage manufacturers are investing aggressively to enter the VPP market. Yet, many ISO/RTOs are not forecasting the role of VPPs to grow significantly beyond today's levels and continue to find reasons to not embrace the technology. This session will cover a forecast for VPPs in the U.S., followed by a discussion around the key issues holding VPPs back from broader adoption, and the perspective of the startups who are trying to transform the market.

Learning Objectives:

Gain insights into the current state and future forecast of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in the U.S. Understand the reasons behind the optimism and uncertainty surrounding the role of VPPs in the energy future and the factors influencing their growth potential.
Identify and analyze the key issues and challenges that are hindering the broader adoption of VPPs. Explore the perspectives of ISO/RTOs and understand their reservations or reluctance to fully embrace VPP technology. Examine the regulatory, technical, or operational barriers that need to be addressed to facilitate wider adoption.
Learn about the experiences and perspectives of startups operating in the VPP market. Understand the innovative approaches they are taking to overcome challenges and transform the market. Gain insights into the strategies and solutions being developed by these startups and their potential to drive the growth and adoption of VPPs in the future.

Moderator(s)

Chris J. Rauscher

Head of Grid Services & VPPs
Sunrun
CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine, United States

Panelist(s)

Cisco DeVries (he/him/his)

CEO
OhmConnect
Piedmont, California, United States
Pearl Donohoo-Vallett (she/her/hers)

Senior Manager - Strategy (Utility of the Future)
Pepco Holdings
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
David Nemtzow

Senior Advisor (Virtual Power Plants)
Loan Programs Office, Department of Energy (DOE)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Meghan Nutting, MPA

Executive Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs
Sunnova
Denver, Colorado, United States
Carter Shoop

Founder and CEO of Climate VS, Inc.
Climate VS, Inc.
Piedmont, California, United States