Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): Navigating Challenges & Opportunities

August 20-21, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0824-virtual-power-plants

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) offer enhanced grid stability, increased resilience, improved affordability, and environmental sustainability. However, utilities face several challenges:

• Integrating diverse resources from various vendors
• Navigating regulations not designed for VPPs
• Addressing privacy and data security concerns
• Managing investments and operational expenses
• Maintaining customer relationships

By overcoming these hurdles, utilities can implement VPPs that enhance operations and support renewable energy use. Register for this event to gain insights into maximizing VPP benefits.

Learning Outcomes  

• Foundational Concepts: Examine VPPs and distributed energy resources (DERs).
• Business Case: Identify the value of grid services provided by VPPs.
• Technological Landscape: Explore current and future VPP technologies.
• Operating Models: Evaluate different VPP models and their implications.
• Implementation Strategies: Develop strategies to scale VPPs considering current challenges and future opportunities.
• DOE Strategies: Explore the DOE’s efforts to accelerate VPP deployment.
• Financing Opportunities: Discover low-cost financing options from the Loan Programs Office.
• Strategic Integration: Review why integrating VPPs into the grid is crucial.
• Sustainability: Discuss VPPs’ role in integrating renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
• ADER Pilot Project: Analyze the latest developments and long-term goals from ERCOT’s perspective.
• Lessons Learned: Identify lessons from the ADER pilot project for future grid initiatives.
• Innovative Models: Gain insights into the ISBM Project’s solar plus storage VPP model.
• Collaborative Efforts: Review SELC and Duke Energy’s PowerPair solar plus storage pilot program.
• Clean Energy Transition: Review how VPPs can support the clean energy transition and address energy justice concerns.

Register now to explore how VPPs can enhance utility operations and support a sustainable energy future.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 : Central Time

 

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. :: Virtual Power Plants: Present and Future, Benefits and Affordability – Overview

Building and operating a VPP at scale requires significant changes to utility systems and processes. This session will prepare participants to become leaders on the journey ahead.

Beginning with an overview of the distributed energy resources underlying the virtual power plant, we’ll break down the components of the VPP business case and examine the value of specific grid services within it.

From this foundation, we’ll survey the present and future technology landscape, examine future operating models, and discuss several implementation strategies.

Adam Light, Senior Director, VPPs and DERMs Lead, TRC Companies

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. :: Morning Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. :: The Role of Virtual Power Plants in an All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy

As part of an all-encompassing energy approach, VPPs play a pivotal role in meeting the dynamic energy demands of customers, especially in high-growth regions like Houston. This session will cover the “why” behind VPPs, emphasizing their integration into the grid as a strategic imperative.

Discover how VPPs contribute to grid resilience, enhance reliability, and pave the way for a sustainable energy future.

Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services and Government Affairs, CenterPoint Energy

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. :: Lunch Break

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. :: Eversource’s Connecticut EV Managed Charging Program

With the goal of getting out ahead of the significant impact that individual customer purchase decisions will have on system operations, Eversource launched a Managed Charging program in Connecticut in January 2022. The multi-tier program design incorporates both active and passive elements, includes control of vehicles through both EVSE and telematics, and involves coordinating across 3 different DERMS/EV Aggregators. Eversource has been able to successfully manage this complexity while delivering a great customer experience, as evidenced by results to date.

Amy Findlay, P.E., Manager, Demand Response Management, Eversource

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. :: Visibility and VPPs: Applying the Pareto Principle to the Grid of the Future

With the age of inverter-based resources, the industry has made leaps and bounds in the space of incorporating DER adoption through DERMS, VPPs, and unlocking the value of DERs. One of the emerging challenges utilities face is how to maximize the value and discern what functionality is needed to avoid overbuilding. By applying the Pareto principle to grid visibility and control, the framework for a sustainable, effective deployment emerges.

This session will discuss how to maximize the value of a DER deployment.

Michael McMaster, Solutions Architect, Siemens 

 

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 : Central Time

 

9:00 – 9:45  a.m. :: Case Study: ISBM (Innovative Storage Business Model) – Virtual Power Plant Partnership with Sunrun

The ISBM Project is a REV Demonstration Project managed by O&R and Sunrun. The ISBM Project aims to illustrate an innovative solar plus storage system Virtual Power Plant (“VPP”) business model to optimize and deliver clean energy, provide dispatchable grid services and reduce costs for customers. The ISBM Project tests the hypothesis that a collection of behind-the-meter (“BTM”) solar plus storage systems can be aggregated to provide value to the host customer, electric distribution system, and bulk system services.  Moreover, it explores whether this value can be allocated across participating customers, non-participating customers, utilities, and developers producing cost efficiencies and increased engagement by all parties involved.

• Demonstration or Proof-of-Concept Project
• Residential Storage plus Solar Systems
• Goal of 300 systems with 2MW/4MWh Capacity (will likely be larger with Tesla Powerwall units having become available – larger capacity battery)
• Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc. subsidizes the cost of the battery, O&R gets dispatch rights for 10 years, customer signs a lease with an agreed upon kw/h price with Sunrun
• File quarterly reports with our regulator – as of Feb 8th, 2024, there are 185 systems online with 20 in a Disadvantaged Community
• Have run tests on units and gotten home meter output
• Performed outreach to local groups and attended local events to educate the public
• Lessons Learned on market penetration, reasons for home disqualification, retrofitting existing systems, and permitting with local authorities
• Avoids high-cost system upgrades

Christian Woods, Project Manager, O&R Project Management – Distributed Resource Integration, Orange & Rockland

Ralph Devitto, Section Manager, Distributed Resource Integration, Orange & Rockland

Vincent Galligan III, Project Manager, O&R Project Management – Distributed Resource Integration, Orange & Rockland

9:45 – 10:00 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:00 – 10:45 a.m. :: Case Study: Mechanism and Policy Alignment for Grid Edge Resources Enablement       

Duke Energy has long recognized the considerable benefit in regularly working with stakeholders as key to enabling policies and mechanisms that offer customers a robust suite of programs to enable grid edge resources. In this session, Duke Energy will discuss real-world scenarios of collaboration in the development of such programs and policies. These include Programs such as the PowePair Program – a program that provides an incentive on rooftop solar plus battery back-up. These also include recent changes to the North Carolina mechanism that identifies system benefits that reflects current market conditions, efficiency innovation prototyping opportunities as well as opportunities for active load management. Across all its jurisdictions, Duke Energy continues to align the needs of its customers and the market by working and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Jean Perez, Director, Regulatory Strategy and Collaboration for Pricing and Customer Solutions, Duke Energy

10:45– 11:30 a.m. :: Case Study:  Virtual Power Plants Deployment Insights: PowerPair

Drawing from real-world experiences, this session  will share how Southern Environmental Law Center SELC collaborates with industry leaders like Duke Energy to drive VPP adoption. Learn about the PowerPair solar plus storage pilot program and discover innovative ideas for further development within North Carolina’s vertically integrated utility landscape.

David Neal, Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. :: ERCOT’s Case Study: ADER Pilot Project

• High-level explanation of the ADER pilot
• History of the pilot, including early participation and observations
• Discussion on the latest phase and what we’re currently exploring
• Long-term questions and goals for the pilot from ERCOT’s point of view

Dave Maggio, Principal, Market Design & Analytics, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. :: Virtual Power Plants and Energy Justice

Virtual Power Plants can contribute to the clean energy transition through use cases related to provision of grid services, economic development, and improved public health, but cost-related, socioeconomic, and historical barriers have limited VPP adoption in underserved communities. This session will analyze the VPP project value chain and use cases of VPPs through an energy justice lens to highlight opportunities and challenges of VPP access in underserved communities.

Brittany Speetles, Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

1:15 p.m. :: Conference Adjourns

Ralph Devitto, Section Manager, Distributed Resource Integration, Orange & Rockland

Amy Findlay, P.E., Manager, Demand Response Management, Eversource

Vincent Galligan III, Project Manager, O&R Project Management, Distributed Resource Integration, Orange & Rockland

Adam Light, Senior Director, VPPs and DERMs Lead, TRC Companies

Dave Maggio, Principal, Market Design & Analytics, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

David Neal, Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

Jean Perez, Director, Regulatory Strategy and Collaboration for Pricing and Customer Solutions, Duke Energy

Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services and Government Affairs, CenterPoint Energy

Brittany Speetles, Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Christian Woods, Project Manager, O&R Project Management, Distributed Resource Integration, Orange & Rockland

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): Navigating Challenges & Opportunities

August 20-21, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before July 19, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event.

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Instructional Methods  

This program will use PowerPoint presentations, case studies and group discussions. 

Requirements for a Successful Completion of Program  

Participants must log in each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit. 

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Conference CPE Credits: 10.5
There is no prerequisite for this Conference.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preperation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

 

Who Should Attend  

• Utility Executives (CEO, CFO, COO)
• Energy Grid Managers
• Energy Policy Makers and Regulators
• Renewable Energy Project Managers
• Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Developers
• Distributed Energy Resource Managers
• Energy System Engineers
• Grid Operations Managers
• Energy Market Analysts
• Environmental Sustainability Managers
• Energy Technology Innovators
• Energy Consultants and Advisors
• Grid Integration Specialists
• Energy Storage Solution Providers
• Research Scientists and Engineers in Energy Field
• Energy Efficiency Experts
• Sustainable Energy Advocates
• Investors and Venture Capitalists in Energy Sector
• Energy Lawyers and Legal Advisors
• Government Officials and Representatives involved in Energy Policy Making