October 1, 2022
VPPiece #4: Real Barriers to Virtual Power Plants
The technology is available for virtual power plants to be rolled out across the United States, argues Jigar Shah, the director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.
July 14, 2022
VPPiece #3: The Role of Photovoltaics and Li-ion Battery Storage
Jigar dives into the importance of aggregated PV and Li-ion battery technologies in virtual power plants, offering real-world examples of VPPs across the United States that incorporate solar, storage, and both.
June 9, 2022
VPPiece #2: Benefits to Affordability
LPO Director Jigar Shah explains the potential of VPPs to further energy affordability – from participation in demand flexibility programs to the more efficient use of grid infrastructure and the deployment of ever cheaper renewable resources.
May 12, 2022
Introducing VPPieces: bite-sized blogs about Virtual Power Plants
In this biweekly series, DOE LPO Director Jigar Shah reflects on the challenges that come with achieving a zero-carbon electric grid and how the emerging concept of the Virtual Power Plant can turn those challenges into opportunities for all Americans