John Berger’s Post

With growing loads and lack of available energy supply, often referred to as the energy gauntlet, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) will play an increasing role of balancing system capacity. In an insightful article for Latitude Media, Jigar Shah, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s LPO director lays out a blueprint for how VPPs can help the grid handle massive load growth. "VPPs should just be an “energy efficiency play,” preventing loads from pulling from the grid during peak times, rather than a two-way asset." The flexibility delivered by battery energy storage systems (BESS) and load management systems tied to VPPs will offer prosumer benefits both in terms of cost management and emission reductions. Now is the time for C&I customers to embrace this energy transition as a way to not only provide valuable grid services, but also monetize their energy assets. #VPP #electrification #decarbonization

Great interview with Jigar Shah on the Catalyst Podcast with Shayle Kann highlighting the simple opportunities for virtual power plans (VPPs) in front of us today: https://lnkd.in/ejyZyVFG Shah makes the important point that while distributed, demand-side VPPs will play a crucial role in the energy transition, to scale they need to become much simpler and more reliable. In the short term, that means focusing on VPPs primarily as "an energy efficiency play" that leverages the unique load-shifting potential of different measures like heat pumps or electric vehicles.  We couldn't agree more with this timely message! Join RMI and the Flex Coalition for a webinar next week on the intersection of VPPs and the IRA’s home energy rebates, June 12th from 2-3 Eastern time. Industry stakeholders and policy experts will discuss how this federal investment in energy efficiency can enhance flexibility and create more resilient and responsive homes for a VPP future. Webinar – Saving Money and Supporting the Grid: How IRA Home Energy Rebates Enable Virtual Power Plants Thursday, June 13 2-3 p.m. ET Register: https://lnkd.in/eFCiSWPP Carmen Best Avery McEvoy, EIT David Hunter Kara Saul Rinaldi Stacey Paradis Maeve Allsup #virtualpowerplants #energyefficiency #ira 

Simplifying VPPs: The Key to Unlocking Massive Grid Efficiency 🔑⚡ Jigar Shah just dropped some serious wisdom on how to scale VPPs & relieve grid strain. Here's the TLDR: 1️⃣ Keep it simple! One-way VPPs (no backfeeding) can prevent peak overloads without complex infrastructures. Walk before we run! 2️⃣ Align incentives. Solar cos & utilities must unite on the REAL goal: managing massive load growth, not just juicing solar sales. 3️⃣ Leverage IRA funds. $35M per utility for VPP integration is 💰💰💰. Businesses should pounce on this opportunity! 4️⃣ Regulators, step up! Mandating load-scheduling features (think smart thermostats & EV chargers) is a no-brainer for grid health. VPP simplification is the 🗝️ to rapid deployment. Focusing on one-way load management cuts through red tape & bypasses costly bidirectional infrastructure. The biz case is clear: VPPs can help utilities handle MASSIVE electrification without expensive overhauls. That's 💸💸💸 saved on capex! Bonus: Simplified VPPs could throw a lifeline to the flailing solar industry. Packaging VPPs into solar deals may boost margins & help cos weather the NEM 3.0 storm. ❓ But culture is still a hurdle. How can we shift utility mindsets to embrace this "new approach"? What success stories might sway skeptics? #GridModernization #VPPsUnleashed #CleanEnergyCollaboration #SmartGridSolution #LoadGrowthHack https://lnkd.in/gvpPUcSp

A couple of weeks ago there was a significant milestone achieved in California's grid and at DLL Solutions would like to recognize it. For the first time battery storage was the dominant source of electricity supply during peak evening hours which reflects a pivotal shift in energy resource utilization. This not only underscores the rapid technological advancements in battery storage but also highlights its increasing viability as a stable and sustainable energy source within major grids. As we navigate the complexities of energy transformation, such developments offer promising insights into the role of storage solutions in achieving a decarbonized grid. How long do you think it will be before we see other major grids hit this milestone? Start a conversation with us in the comments section. #EnergyTransition #SustainableEnergy #BatteryStorage #DLLSolutions Our excitement over this has us feeling kinda punny - Battery storage stepping up during peak hours? Now that's what we call 'taking charge' of the energy grid! https://lnkd.in/eDpU9cEH

US VPPs can meet summer demand peaks faster, cheaper than new generation and transmission: RMI .... The more than 500 VPPs operational in the United States can help address summer peaks in 2024, while new VPPs can be online in time for summer 2025, RMI said. Virtual power plants can affordably and reliably help to meet summer electricity demand on a U.S. grid that’s increasingly vulnerable to supply disruptions during extreme heat waves, RMI said in a report released earlier this month. The more than 500 U.S. VPPs in operation today can be dispatched to meet summer grid needs in 2024, and new VPPs can be planned and deployed in as little as six to 12 months, making them available as soon as next summer, RMI said. Regional grids face even greater risks in the near future if utilities’ expectations for near-term demand growth bear out, RMI said. Grid planners expect peak demand growth of 38 GW through 2028, mostly driven by new manufacturing, industrial and data center facilities, Grid Strategies said in December. U.S. utilities can meet resource adequacy needs and avoid $15 billion to $35 billion in conventional investments over 10 years by deploying 60 GW of VPP capacity. TNi Energy-BESS 1.20MW 10HR LDES, we've innovated a groundbreaking method that repurposes recycled lead-acid batteries, extending their life span to 20 years for energy storage purposes. Previously, the industry lacked a safe and environmentally conscious alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, our proprietary technique reveals that lead-acid batteries are not only safer but also 50-60% more cost-effective than their hazardous counterparts. #TNiEnergy,#10HRLDES,#ELDES,#C1toC20,#nebulositycloud, #BESS,#C3Energy,#Energy, #ZEROemmissions, #ZEROcarbon, #energytransistion, #LeadAcid Battery, #windpower, #solarpower, #VPP, #MicroGrid, #DERM

US VPPs can meet summer demand peaks faster, cheaper than new generation and transmission: RMI .... The more than 500 VPPs operational in the United States can help address summer peaks in 2024, while new VPPs can be online in time for summer 2025, RMI said. Virtual power plants can affordably and reliably help to meet summer electricity demand on a U.S. grid that’s increasingly vulnerable to supply disruptions during extreme heat waves, RMI said in a report released earlier this month. The more than 500 U.S. VPPs in operation today can be dispatched to meet summer grid needs in 2024, and new VPPs can be planned and deployed in as little as six to 12 months, making them available as soon as next summer, RMI said. Regional grids face even greater risks in the near future if utilities’ expectations for near-term demand growth bear out, RMI said. Grid planners expect peak demand growth of 38 GW through 2028, mostly driven by new manufacturing, industrial and data center facilities, Grid Strategies said in December. U.S. utilities can meet resource adequacy needs and avoid $15 billion to $35 billion in conventional investments over 10 years by deploying 60 GW of VPP capacity. TNi Energy-BESS 1.20MW 10HR LDES, we've innovated a groundbreaking method that repurposes recycled lead-acid batteries, extending their life span to 20 years for energy storage purposes. Previously, the industry lacked a safe and environmentally conscious alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, our proprietary technique reveals that lead-acid batteries are not only safer but also 50-60% more cost-effective than their hazardous counterparts. #TNiEnergy,#10HRLDES,#ELDES,#C1toC20,#nebulositycloud, #BESS,#C3Energy,#Energy, #ZEROemmissions, #ZEROcarbon, #energytransistion, #LeadAcid Battery, #windpower, #solarpower, #VPP, #MicroGrid, #DERM

US firm plans to build $8bn, 1GW #hydrogen-powered off-grid #data centre in Texas However, the facility in Texas will run on half grey and half blue #H2 on start-up in 2025 ECL #hydrogenpower #hydrogenenergy #grid #power #bluehydrogen #greenhydrogen #hydrogeneconomy #hydrogenindustry https://lnkd.in/ez9Qaepm

While RTOs and developers are still adjusting to the FERC 2023 update that has reformed interconnection queues, there is still fuel to improve the energy outlook through updated planning processes and allocation of costs. Bring it on: require intercontivity between regions, consider benefits as well as costs, use advanced materials reconductoring. This is one of the core tasks of government and FERC can keep the USA’s winning streak on energy.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) are essential for balancing the grid during peak times without relying on polluting peaker plants. However, adoption is lagging. In an interview with Shayle Kann, Jigar Shah, director of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, advocates simplifying VPPs by focusing initially on shifting energy usage during peak times rather than as two-way assets. This approach could accelerate VPP scaling, leaving the more complex issues for another day. Resistance to change remains a barrier. Shah notes, "Everyone's first choice is to do things exactly how we do them now. At some point, you have to suggest that we need a new approach." VPPs are that new approach. https://lnkd.in/ejyZyVFG #CoolingGlobalWarming #EnergyStorage #VPPs #renewables #TES #decarbonization

🌟 Aii was featured in a recent article by Built In! Check out the full article now to learn more about how #microgrids are reshaping the landscape of #energy infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/gYrqGjWc