Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) enable a convergence – of technologies, markets, and benefits – that will redefine the power grid in the 21st century. Harnessing their potential depends on a similar convergence of policy ideas and resources.

Barriers

By unifying various distributed energy resources, VPPs have a singular role to play in our clean energy future. But today, deployments are being hindered by confusion, hype, and disjointed advocacy in the regulatory arena. What’s desperately needed is a common framework for crafting effective VPP policy – one that’s built on a clear understanding of what VPPs can do and a shared vision of the ultimate destination.

Toward convergence

The Energy Policy Design Institute (EPDI) is launching the VPP Convergence Project to help bring order to the chaos and enable VPP policy change at scale. At its heart, the VPP Convergence Project is an initiative to synthesize knowledge and best practices; create actionable tools for policy staff; and mobilize stakeholders around a shared vision and policy priorities.

VPPs will achieve liftoff only when stakeholders are able to understand, advocate for, and implement sound policy that’s rooted in a common framework. Catalyzing this “convergence” is the project’s mission.

Leadership

EPDI is forming two advisory boards to guide this work: a Steering Committee of experts and thought leaders from allied organizations to ensure industry alignment and coordination; and a user group (the “Regulatory Design Group”) of staff at public utility commissions, state agencies, and other implementing entities to ensure EPDI’s tools are used and useful in the regulatory arena.