Xcel Energy could bring a 10-15 MW virtual power plant online by summer 2025, a year slower than regulators have suggested they want to see, according to comments filed at the Public Utilities Commission of Colorado. The commission is considering the development of a VPP as part of an investigation into how third-party services can strengthen the energy grid. However, Xcel warned that setting up a VP will be complicated and will include “critical steps” such as issuing a request for proposals for a demand response management system, or DRMS, provider, vendor selection, and integration of the DRMS with DER providers. Xcel supports the second approach, a “bring your own device” platform where customers or developers would be able to enroll DERs. The utility also recommended a capacity target of 10 to 15 MW for the VPP pilot. It is also preparing to issue a proposal for a DRMS system in the first quarter of 2024 with use case requirements including a pay-for-performance program for distributed battery energy storage. The Colorado Solar and Storage Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association have recommended a tariffed VPP program covering enrollment, dispatch, and customer-friendly services.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
