200 California households to help design community-centered virtual power plant

A new pilot program will let participants shape a VPP focused on their needs rather than utility or vendor priorities, testing an alternative model to grid-services platforms run by major tech and solar companies.

First covered Oct 22, 2026 · 9:30 AM PT · 2 articles · no longer in the live window

200 California households to help design community-centered virtual power plant — Image via canarymedia.com

Coverage

19d via Bluesky What kind of virtual power plant would you choose? — Some 200 California households will help design a VPP that prioritizes their needs.

19d Canary Media What kind of virtual power plant would you choose? — Hello, everybody! Welcome back to California Wire. This week, I’m going to be talking about virtual power plants again — but not the ones set up by utilities…

Primary sources

canarylivebayarea2026.eventbrite.com Canary Live Bay Area — cited by 2 of the outlets above

californiadgstats.ca.gov CaliforniaDGStats

ein.az.gov Public Safety Power Shutoff (ein.az.gov)

Related coverage

20d Canary Media Google plans big virtual power plant in energy-strapped PJM grid

20d Heatmap News Google Bets Big on Virtual Power Plants With 1 Gigawatt Voltus Deal

More coverage from around the web

cal-cca.org CALIFORNIA AGGREGATOR News and Updates from the California Community

cal-cca.org Ava Community Energy Announces Ambitious Virtual Power Plant Initiative to Help its 2M Customers Optimize Their Energy Investments While Relieving Stress on the Grid » California Community Choice Association (CalCCA)

contractingbusiness.com PG&E, Google Pilot Uses Smart Home Technology to Support Grid Reliability

mcecleanenergy.org MCE’s Virtual Power Plant Pilot in Richmond

quittingcarbonmedia.com This California electricity provider is all-in on virtual power plants

Discussion

Bluesky: @jeffstjohn.bsky.social Jeff St. John · 19d ago · 4 ♥ How would you share your home's solar, battery, and appliance power with your neighbors? This research project will enlist 200 California households to craft virtual power plant programs that work for them, and then model how they help the grid:…

Appeared in: 2026-10-22 (#8) · 2026-10-23 (#9)

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