Distributed Energy Resources

Canary Media reports that California lawmakers are weighing a proposal to eliminate the state’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, which pays consumers to reduce their energy use or who provide power to the grid during times of peak electricity demand. United’s Leah Rubin Shen emphasized that DSGS should be maintained to provide stability while lawmakers establish a clear pathway to integrate these resources into a stronger, more durable market framework that builds on the program’s success.

PV Magazine reports that California Senator Josh Becker has introduced legislation (SB 913) that would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to update its Resource Adequacy rules to allow aggregated distributed energy resources to compete alongside traditional power plants. United’s Brandon García spoke to the benefits of the bill in lowering energy costs, increasing grid reliability, and maximizing the use of existing infrastructure.

Utility Dive reports that Michigan lawmakers are considering a bill (SB 731) that would require the state’s major electric utilities to develop virtual power plant programs that pay distributed energy resource owners for alleviating grid strain during periods of peak demand. United’s Samarth Medakkar stated that this is a great example of a forward-thinking policy that aims to get the most out of our existing energy resources rather than investing in costly infrastructure buildout.

In an article from Maryland Matters, United’s Katie Mettle underscores what’s at stake as lawmakers consider cuts to Maryland’s EmPOWER program at a time when energy affordability is a top concern statewide. 

Reuters reports that as load growth continues to rise nationwide, grid congestion and the slow expansion of transmission capacity has spurred investments in grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) that maximize the use of existing energy infrastructure. United’s Adam Winer stated that GETs offer an affordable, reliable, and near-term solution to expand transmission capacity quickly to meet growing energy demand.

Utility Dive reports that the Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved the Illinois Power Agency’s 2026 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan, finalizing new contract-level provisions, including a new process for using regulatorily continuing provisions for renewable energy certificate contracts. United’s John Albers commended the commission’s decision, highlighting that the plan provides greater certainty for large community solar and utility-scale projects in Illinois.

Maryland lawmakers introduced the Securing Affordable, Valuable Investments in Next-Generation Grid Solutions (SAVINGS) Act (HB 723), legislation that could save customers hundreds of millions of dollars on their electricity bills. The SAVINGS Act will rein in rising electric bills by requiring utilities to prioritize cost-effective grid solutions over expensive new infrastructure.

Pennsylvanians’ electric bills are going up, and electric utilities will be spending more than ever on energy and infrastructure. In order to alleviate rising cost pressures and meet growing energy demand, United’s Chris D’Agostino examines how, with smart policy, Pennsylvania can make the most out of an untapped resource already found in homes and businesses: virtual power plants.

As utilities once again seek to raise electric rates, a new study commissioned by the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) finds that better use of existing, customer-owned energy technologies could save Texans $18.9 billion over the next decade.

This new report from Advanced Energy United’s state affiliate Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA), produced by Demand Side Analytics, finds that Texas could save billions by better integrating distributed energy resources (DERs)–like rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicles, and smart appliances–into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’s (ERCOT) grid planning and market operations.

United’s Samarth Medakkar discusses Michigan’s new virtual power plant (VPP) legislation, outlining how the Wolverine State can meet rising costs, rising reliability challenges, and rising energy demand through the use of VPPs and distributed energy resources (DERs) already found in homes and businesses.

United’s Brian Turner discusses new clean energy opportunities in Colorado based on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s key proceedings filed this year and upcoming filings, highlighting Colorado’s progress in attracting new investment, scaling clean energy resources, supporting electrification, and preventing system bottlenecks.