California’s virtual power plant could save $206M by 2028: Brattle
Advocates say the taxpayer-funded Demand Side Grid Support program is critical to reducing energy costs and managing the California grid, but it faces an uncertain future.
Dive Brief:
California’s taxpayer-funded virtual power plant can reduce the need for gas peaker plants and has the potential to save ratepayers $206 million between 2025 and 2028, according to a new report from The Brattle Group. The report was commissioned by Sunrun and Tesla Energy, both of which participate in the Demand Side Grid Support program.
DSGS is run by the California Energy Commission and since 2023 has offered customers compensation in exchange for allowing their behind-the-meter batteries to be dispatched at times of grid stress. A July test event saw more than 500 MW of battery energy dispatched to the grid for two hours.
