The Clean Energy States Alliance has launched a national initiative to support states and local governments in deploying and scaling virtual power plants across the USA. The programme is being developed in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, Clean Energy Group and Justice Climate Fund.
The initiative will provide technical assistance, share programme models, support policy and regulatory reforms, engage with communities and help connect projects with financing opportunities.
According to the Department of Energy, between 80 GW and 160 GW of virtual power plant capacity could be deployed by 2030, potentially meeting 10% to 20% of peak electricity demand in the USA.
The organisations said electricity demand is increasing due to the expansion of data centres, electrification and new industrial loads, while grid expansion projects remain slow and costly.
The initiative aims to support the use of distributed energy resources already connected to the grid in order to reduce peak demand and grid stress, lower electricity system costs, improve reliability during extreme weather events and limit the need for transmission and distribution upgrades. It also aims to increase access to clean energy benefits for communities, including low-income households.
