Virtual power plants may be invisible, but we are going to increasingly feel their influence worldwide within the decade, according to findings by Navigant Research. A recent report by the research firm says that virtual power plant (VPP) capacity will quintuple, producing 28,000 MW by 2023, up from from 4,800 MW this year. This means growth in … [Read more...]
Update on Virtual Power Plant Under ‘Construction’ in Virginia
March 30, 2014 By 3 Comments
Here’s the latest about a plan underway in Virginia to build a virtual power plant, the most read story on EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com in 2013. The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), a non-profit energy services company based in Charlottesville, VA, has structured an innovative way to launch the virtual or ‘community’ power plant through a … [Read more...]
Can You See the Power Plant in this Photo? No? Welcome to the Age of the Virtual Power Plant
November 24, 2013 By 45 Comments
No one likes to admit it, but we’ve all got a little NIMBY in us. Energy is a good thing, yes, but Not in My Backyard. Power plants just aren’t pretty. That’s why it’s intriguing to see Charlottesville, Virginia – my backyard – on the cutting-edge of a new approach: the virtual power plant, one that you cannot see, smell, hear or touch. That’s … [Read more...]
The Home as a Virtual Power Plant: In Crunch Time Who Can Utilities Count On?
September 9, 2013 By 2 Comments
A single home as a virtual power plant isn’t impressive. But aggregate households together – especially in the right combination – and utilities have a sizeable demand response resource when real power plants fall short. That’s the thinking behind a partnership recently announced between industry giant Schneider Electric and up-and-comer AutoGrid … [Read more...]
