Description
The California Energy Commission is funding advanced Virtual Power Plant (VPP) demonstrations that aggregate inverter‑based distributed energy resources (DERs) to deliver distribution‑level grid services. Applicants must design, deploy, and evaluate a VPP platform that can provide voltage regulation, frequency response, and congestion mitigation within a single substation or distribution circuit, integrate securely with investor‑owned utility (IOU) DER Management Systems, and demonstrate measurable benefits to disadvantaged or low‑income communities.
• Demonstrate a VPP capable of ≥ 95 % service availability, providing voltage, frequency, and reactive‑power services at the distribution level.
• Integrate the VPP with an IOU’s DERMS using industry‑standard protocols (IEEE 1547, IEEE 2030.5, etc.) and meet UL 2900 cybersecurity requirements.
• Deliver a comprehensive technology‑transfer plan (≥ 5 % of CEC funds) and a community‑engagement strategy focused on disadvantaged or low‑income neighborhoods, including measurable economic and health‑impact outcomes.
• Provide a detailed budget (minimum $2 M, maximum $4 M) with at least 20 % match funding (cash + in‑kind) and a clear “funds spent in California” calculation for scoring.
• Submit all deliverables (technical reports, performance metrics, CEQA compliance, etc.) through the ECAMS portal by the Jan 30 2026 deadline.