As China adopts Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), will the U.S. be next?
VPPs digitally connect assets like EV chargers, smart thermostats, and batteries to support the grid. This provides reliable, clean power at a fraction of the cost of traditional plants.
VPPs digitally connect assets like EV chargers, smart thermostats, and batteries to support the grid. This provides reliable, clean power at a fraction of the cost of traditional plants.
October 17, 2025 at 7:22 AM
As China adopts Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), will the U.S. be next?
VPPs digitally connect assets like EV chargers, smart thermostats, and batteries to support the grid. This provides reliable, clean power at a fraction of the cost of traditional plants.
VPPs digitally connect assets like EV chargers, smart thermostats, and batteries to support the grid. This provides reliable, clean power at a fraction of the cost of traditional plants.
As the climate problem gets worse, the solutions (like residential VPPs, as in this great conversation) get better.
Deploy, deploy, deploy.
@volts.wtf
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Deploy, deploy, deploy.
@volts.wtf
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
The promise of residential VPPs
Podcast Episode · Volts · 12/20/2024 · 1h 9m
podcasts.apple.com
December 28, 2024 at 4:01 PM
As the climate problem gets worse, the solutions (like residential VPPs, as in this great conversation) get better.
Deploy, deploy, deploy.
@volts.wtf
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Deploy, deploy, deploy.
@volts.wtf
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Using VPPs for grid reliability and ratepayer savings is a no-brainer. Who could possibly be responsible for persuading the Governor to veto this common-sense bill? Oh yes, VPPs cut into utility profits.
California could save billions of dollars in grid and energy costs by tapping rooftop solar, batteries, EVs, and smart appliances as virtual power plants. Why did Governor Gavin Newsom veto three widely supported VPP bills meant to enable those savings?
www.canarymedia.com/articles/vir...
#energysky
www.canarymedia.com/articles/vir...
#energysky
Why did Newsom veto California’s virtual power plant bills?
Supporters say the bills would have helped ease the state’s energy affordability crisis while strengthening grid reliability.
www.canarymedia.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Using VPPs for grid reliability and ratepayer savings is a no-brainer. Who could possibly be responsible for persuading the Governor to veto this common-sense bill? Oh yes, VPPs cut into utility profits.
VPPs are getting big, y'all.
California is pushing the limits of crowdsourced energy
The state’s biggest-ever test of ‘virtual power plants’ was a success.
www.semafor.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
VPPs are getting big, y'all.
Heard about "virtual power plants"? Want to know more? Here I dig into the nuts and bolts:
Let's dig a little deeper into virtual power plants (VPPs)
EnergyHub CEO Seth Frader-Thompson joins me to distinguish between old-school demand response and true virtual power plants (VPPs).
www.volts.wtf
January 22, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Heard about "virtual power plants"? Want to know more? Here I dig into the nuts and bolts:
On Friday, I'm talking w/ the folks at EnergyHub, the largest US operator of virtual power plants (VPPs), about their new report on levels of VPP maturity. What does a VPP need for utilities to see it as equivalent to a thermal power plant?
Generally just digging in deeper on VPPs. Got questions?
Generally just digging in deeper on VPPs. Got questions?
January 7, 2026 at 7:25 PM
On Friday, I'm talking w/ the folks at EnergyHub, the largest US operator of virtual power plants (VPPs), about their new report on levels of VPP maturity. What does a VPP need for utilities to see it as equivalent to a thermal power plant?
Generally just digging in deeper on VPPs. Got questions?
Generally just digging in deeper on VPPs. Got questions?
New report argues that investor-owned utilities are actively suppressing the growth of VPPs, ensuring that power prices continue rising.
static1.squarespace.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
New report argues that investor-owned utilities are actively suppressing the growth of VPPs, ensuring that power prices continue rising.
I bet it wasn't even 5 years ago that the standard belief was that without more transmission there would be no energy transition. Then I started hearing about VPPs. Now there are plenty of amazing real world examples of their success and it is still so early.
VPPs look to be a huge thing.
VPPs look to be a huge thing.
“Virtual power plants” are one of the cheapest, most equitable ways to make the grid more efficient, making costly infrastructure buildout less necessary.
11) At the high end of the grid reinforcement cost estimate range, VPPs could reduce grid buildout costs by *$340 billion*. That's our estimate of the "money on the table" for deploying VPPs: The achievable societal value of avoiding poles-and-wires upgrades at the distribution level.
October 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I bet it wasn't even 5 years ago that the standard belief was that without more transmission there would be no energy transition. Then I started hearing about VPPs. Now there are plenty of amazing real world examples of their success and it is still so early.
VPPs look to be a huge thing.
VPPs look to be a huge thing.
You've heard of VPPs, but do you understand them?
A new report by Adam Warren for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) explains how virtual power plants operate and what is needed for their success.
Learn the ABCs of VPPs!
www.cesa.org/resource-lib...
A new report by Adam Warren for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) explains how virtual power plants operate and what is needed for their success.
Learn the ABCs of VPPs!
www.cesa.org/resource-lib...
September 23, 2026 at 5:47 PM
You've heard of VPPs, but do you understand them?
A new report by Adam Warren for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) explains how virtual power plants operate and what is needed for their success.
Learn the ABCs of VPPs!
www.cesa.org/resource-lib...
A new report by Adam Warren for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) explains how virtual power plants operate and what is needed for their success.
Learn the ABCs of VPPs!
www.cesa.org/resource-lib...
Tomorrow I'm talking with the folks at Renew Home, which is developing a 1 gigabyte VPP in Texas.
Got any questions about residential VPPs?
Got any questions about residential VPPs?
December 5, 2024 at 8:45 PM
Tomorrow I'm talking with the folks at Renew Home, which is developing a 1 gigabyte VPP in Texas.
Got any questions about residential VPPs?
Got any questions about residential VPPs?
No, no, and no respectively. Not how VPPs work at all.
June 24, 2026 at 12:32 PM
No, no, and no respectively. Not how VPPs work at all.
NSW announces interim CEO and investment mandate for newly formed “green bank”, with the focus on big and community batteries, pumped hydro and VPPs
NSW green bank to target batteries, pumped hydro and VPPs to fill gaps in transition from coal
NSW announces interim CEO and investment mandate for newly formed “green bank”, with the focus on big and community batteries, pumped hydro and VPPs.
reneweconomy.com.au
February 14, 2025 at 5:36 AM
NSW announces interim CEO and investment mandate for newly formed “green bank”, with the focus on big and community batteries, pumped hydro and VPPs
1. Public utility commissions rubber stamping rate increases
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
You are a random Dem running in 2026 -- say, for some House seat in some swing state. You're on local media. You're asked: "what are three reasons that energy prices are rising & what are three things you'd like to do to bring them down?" What's your answer?
November 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
1. Public utility commissions rubber stamping rate increases
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
New from @cleanenergystates.bsky.social: The ABCs of VPPs: An Introduction to Virtual Power Plants: www.cesa.org/resource-lib... 🔌💡
The ABCs of VPPs: An Introduction to Virtual Power Plants - Clean Energy States Alliance
This paper aims to help state officials and other stakeholders understand what virtual power plants (VPPs) are and how they can be optimally designed. For state energy agencies, a central challeng...
www.cesa.org
September 23, 2026 at 5:56 PM
New from @cleanenergystates.bsky.social: The ABCs of VPPs: An Introduction to Virtual Power Plants: www.cesa.org/resource-lib... 🔌💡
11) At the high end of the grid reinforcement cost estimate range, VPPs could reduce grid buildout costs by *$340 billion*. That's our estimate of the "money on the table" for deploying VPPs: The achievable societal value of avoiding poles-and-wires upgrades at the distribution level.
September 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
11) At the high end of the grid reinforcement cost estimate range, VPPs could reduce grid buildout costs by *$340 billion*. That's our estimate of the "money on the table" for deploying VPPs: The achievable societal value of avoiding poles-and-wires upgrades at the distribution level.
Australia
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home...
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home...
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs
Australia's huge and growing fleet of home batteries are delivering "enormous benefits" to grid, even without being connected to VPPs, AEMO chief says.
reneweconomy.com.au
June 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Australia
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home...
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home...
Today on Volts: by now you've probably heard of "virtual power plants," groups of distributed energy devices coordinated by software to act as a single entity. Today we dig into the various levels of VPP maturity & what a VPP needs to pass as a "real" power plant.
Let's dig a little deeper into virtual power plants (VPPs)
EnergyHub CEO Seth Frader-Thompson joins me to distinguish between old-school demand response and true virtual power plants (VPPs).
www.volts.wtf
January 21, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Today on Volts: by now you've probably heard of "virtual power plants," groups of distributed energy devices coordinated by software to act as a single entity. Today we dig into the various levels of VPP maturity & what a VPP needs to pass as a "real" power plant.
DPP
Distributed Power Plant
down with VPPs
Distributed Power Plant
down with VPPs
November 25, 2024 at 3:32 AM
DPP
Distributed Power Plant
down with VPPs
Distributed Power Plant
down with VPPs
reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home...
Enormous unanticipated benefits to #Auspol and households from @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social‘s highly successful home battery program + policy of free electricity during solar peak (11am-2pm).
My own post-battery ⚡️ bill has gone to zero, incl charging a new EV!👍💚⚡️😎
Enormous unanticipated benefits to #Auspol and households from @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social‘s highly successful home battery program + policy of free electricity during solar peak (11am-2pm).
My own post-battery ⚡️ bill has gone to zero, incl charging a new EV!👍💚⚡️😎
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs
Australia's huge and growing fleet of home batteries are delivering "enormous benefits" to grid, even without being connected to VPPs, AEMO chief says.
reneweconomy.com.au
June 10, 2026 at 3:41 AM
reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home...
Enormous unanticipated benefits to #Auspol and households from @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social‘s highly successful home battery program + policy of free electricity during solar peak (11am-2pm).
My own post-battery ⚡️ bill has gone to zero, incl charging a new EV!👍💚⚡️😎
Enormous unanticipated benefits to #Auspol and households from @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social‘s highly successful home battery program + policy of free electricity during solar peak (11am-2pm).
My own post-battery ⚡️ bill has gone to zero, incl charging a new EV!👍💚⚡️😎
Fantastic podcast with @douglewinenergy!
Great conversations on VPPs, nuclear, and the great struggle to subsidize natural gas.
A few other thoughts…
Great conversations on VPPs, nuclear, and the great struggle to subsidize natural gas.
A few other thoughts…
Thanks to Dave Roberts for having me on @volts.wtf! If you want to understand what's happening in Texas, tune in! We covered the ERCOT market, Winter Storm Uri and the response, industrial electrification, growth of renewables & storage, the latest at #txlege & more
www.volts.wtf/p/what-in-ta...
www.volts.wtf/p/what-in-ta...
What in tarnation is going on in Texas?
The state's booming renewables market faces legislative attacks. I dig in with Doug Lewin.
www.volts.wtf
April 17, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Fantastic podcast with @douglewinenergy!
Great conversations on VPPs, nuclear, and the great struggle to subsidize natural gas.
A few other thoughts…
Great conversations on VPPs, nuclear, and the great struggle to subsidize natural gas.
A few other thoughts…
Ah, this is important, useful work from @energyhub.bsky.social: a "VPP maturity model" that lays out 5 stages of VPP maturity, where 5 is "utilities feel comfortable deploying it daily, like a power plant."
Most extant VPPs are at level 1 or 2.
Most extant VPPs are at level 1 or 2.
Building trustworthy virtual power plants: The VPP Maturity Model
Virtual power plants (VPPs) are one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to add flexible capacity to the grid. But how can utilities and regulators trust VPPs to deliver as consistently as convent...
www.energyhub.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Ah, this is important, useful work from @energyhub.bsky.social: a "VPP maturity model" that lays out 5 stages of VPP maturity, where 5 is "utilities feel comfortable deploying it daily, like a power plant."
Most extant VPPs are at level 1 or 2.
Most extant VPPs are at level 1 or 2.
Australia’s huge and growing fleet of home #batteries are delivering “enormous benefits” to #grid, even without being connected to VPPs, #AEMO chief says.. https://reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home-batteries-deliver-enormous-benefit-to-the-grid-says-aemo-even-if-not-orchestrated-in-vpps/
Passive home batteries deliver "enormous benefits" to the grid, says AEMO - even if not orchestrated in VPPs
Australia's huge and growing fleet of home batteries are delivering "enormous benefits" to grid, even without being connected to VPPs, AEMO chief says.
reneweconomy.com.au
June 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Australia’s huge and growing fleet of home #batteries are delivering “enormous benefits” to #grid, even without being connected to VPPs, #AEMO chief says.. https://reneweconomy.com.au/passive-home-batteries-deliver-enormous-benefit-to-the-grid-says-aemo-even-if-not-orchestrated-in-vpps/
this is a very interesting topic, but the reason it's maybe my favourite episode of the year is all the other things it touches on regarding grid modernization, vpps and market structure.
Today on Volts: you've probably heard that Australia has cheap rooftop solar power. You've probably also heard some rumors & myths about it. (Is it destabilizing the grid?) I called my favorite Australian energy expert to clear it all up. This is a fun one!
www.volts.wtf/p/whats-the-...
www.volts.wtf/p/whats-the-...
What's the real story with Australian rooftop solar?
Saul Griffith joins me to debunk the myths surrounding Australia's massive influx of solar energy.
www.volts.wtf
December 28, 2025 at 9:56 PM
this is a very interesting topic, but the reason it's maybe my favourite episode of the year is all the other things it touches on regarding grid modernization, vpps and market structure.
Bedrock truth of #climate advocacy: boring shit that nobody cares about is 30% of how we fix climate change.
insulation
utility regulation
peaker plants
compost
zoning
demand response and VPPs
That's why I like @volts.wtf podcast. There are entire companies fixing things you never heard of.
insulation
utility regulation
peaker plants
compost
zoning
demand response and VPPs
That's why I like @volts.wtf podcast. There are entire companies fixing things you never heard of.
April 3, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Bedrock truth of #climate advocacy: boring shit that nobody cares about is 30% of how we fix climate change.
insulation
utility regulation
peaker plants
compost
zoning
demand response and VPPs
That's why I like @volts.wtf podcast. There are entire companies fixing things you never heard of.
insulation
utility regulation
peaker plants
compost
zoning
demand response and VPPs
That's why I like @volts.wtf podcast. There are entire companies fixing things you never heard of.