Jim Connolly’s Post

Exciting news for those passionate about sustainability and smart energy usage! 🌱💡 A report from the Brattle Group unveils the potential for California to dramatically cut energy costs by $550 million annually and reduce traditional power system expenses by $755 million through the adoption of virtual power plants (VPPs). By multiplying its current VPP capacity by five, California could introduce roughly 7.7 GW of clean, reliable energy by 2035. This advancement in energy tech embraces innovations such as smart thermostats, behind-the-meter batteries, and grid-interactive heating methods. Interestingly, California's current energy initiatives, including Sunrun's powerful 30-MW project and PG&E's ambitious pricing incentives, position it as a leader in residential energy management. Moreover, the Brattle report shines a light on the milestone achievements of other programs like Utah's Wattsmart VPP, which is reshaping the energy landscape by directly replacing traditional coal energy sources. Now, imagine the transformative impact on our environment and economy when these initiatives scale up and merge seamlessly into our daily lives. 🔋🏙️ The future brims with potential, and we play a part in it. Let's join the conversation: How can we, as individuals and businesses, contribute to integrating VPPs into the mainstream and make a lasting impact on our planet's future? Drop your thoughts below! #SustainableEnergy #VPP #Innovation

Virtual power plants (VPPs) are the way forward. Just consider this recent Brattle Group report, which found that by deploying 7.7 GW of VPP capacity, California can avoid $755 million in traditional power system costs while also saving electricity consumers $550 million annually! Of course, the benefits of VPPs extend beyond the cost savings. VPPs are one of the best ways to integrate renewables into the grid without interconnection queues and ensure resource adequacy, reliability, and flexibility. They’re a huge step in the right direction. The problem, as Ryan Hledik, Brattle Group Principal, and report co-author, points out here, is that “California’s VPP rollout “is just not yet happening at the scale you would expect”. The good news is that we have the decentralized energy resource to scale VPP deployment. We just need more customer participation. This is an opportunity and call to action for all buildings: Now is the time to participate in a VPP. https://lnkd.in/embkK3kn #CoolingGlobalWarming #EnergyStorage #TES #renewables #VPP #DemandResponse

Virtual power plants (VPP) may be one of our most important but overlooked energy resources when the grid is under pressure. As a business, you can aggregate all your decentralized energy assets and, through coordinated management, lower their collective energy use. This will reduce grid demand and prevent blackouts. Yes, you'll be providing grid services exactly like a power plant – and therefore getting paid for it. Let's get into it 👇

Simply and effective explanation about Virtual Power Plant Organizations can save and earn money while supporting grid stability Find out more here! 👇 ⚡️ #Enel #EnelX #Flexibility #Demandresponse #Innovation #digitalization #energytransition #decarbonization #Electrification #smartEn #Flexcon

Virtual is quickly becoming reality. Microgrid Knowledge has the details of a report by The Brattle Group that estimates that virtual power plants will have the potential to save California consumers more than $550 million annually by 2035. #energy #virtualpowerplants #distributedenergy #infrastructure

An observer may look at the possibility of 40 percent savings and ask why utilities and grid operators aren’t investing heavily in incentives to maximize the benefits. The disappointing answer is that the utility business model doesn’t deal well with tools that reduce demand, largely because utilities make money by selling electricity and building infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/g4Kg-xPN

Deploying the advanced grid solutions available today could be a cost-effective means to increase the capacity of the existing grid, while improving reliability, resilience, and affordability. I’m proud of our team at Guidehouse who provided the analytical support for the Department of Energy’s new Pathway to Commercial Liftoff report. This critical report identifies pathways to accelerate deployment of key commercially available—but underutilized—advanced grid solutions on the existing transmission and distribution system to address near-term hotspots and modernize the grid to prepare for a wide range of energy futures. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gUmHsvBy #EnergySector #EnergyTransition

The Electric Utility Industry or How many legislators does it take to screw in a light bulb?" John will cover the history of the electric utility industry from its inception to the present day, to talk about the challenges the industry currently faces and the ones that are on the horizon, and to briefly review how the industry in California is faring in its efforts to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy.

As solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles soar in popularity, utilities face a new frontier in energy management. Discover how RI can help you unlock the full potential of DERs in our latest case study: https://lnkd.in/evfeQTjx #energytransition #energymanagement #distributedenergyresources

How progressive utilities are transforming grid management for the future. Jørgen Festervoll, CEO of Heimdall Power, discusses the swift implementation of Ambient Adjusted Ratings (AAR) and advocates for the transition to Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) to maximize grid capacity. Read the full feature by Jørgen here: 🔗https://ow.ly/cHQb50UiXGB #GridOptimization #EnergyEfficiency #Heimdall #EOGmagazine