The current status of distributed power grid energy storage at home and abroad

What happens when a grid outage occurs?

When grid outages occur, distributed generation paired with energy storage can keep electricity flowing to homes, business, and communities.

Are virtual power plants the next state in der management?

But the paper calls out the implementation of virtual power plants (VPPs) as “the next state in effective DER management.” VPPs are defined by the Department of Energy as aggregations of DERs that can balance electricity demand and supply and provide utility-grade grid services at scale.

How can Ders help consumers and the grid?

This example shows that DERs can be an impactful tool for consumers and the grid. DERs can empower communities and customers to generate and manage their own energy, lower energy bills, increase grid reliability and flexibility, and reduce fossil fuel use, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

How can solar power help consumers and the grid?

California resident Cassina Tarsia generates and stores enough solar power to charge her electric wheelchair, EV, and lights and appliances, feed her house battery, and on some days, even reverse her electric meter. This example shows that DERs can be an impactful tool for consumers and the grid.

Will Der capacity increase by 216 GW by 2028?

Wood Mackenzie, a global data and analytics firm specializing in energy and natural resources, estimates that the U.S. DERs capacity will increase by 216 gigawatts (GW) through 2028. This would help offset an expected increase in the country’s electricity needs, which is estimated to grow by 200 GW by 2030.

Are the Pew Charitable Trusts the answer to energy modernization?

They are one clear answer to meeting the unprecedented increase in electricity demand the U.S. faces while ensuring universal access to clean energy resources. Maureen Quinlan is a senior officer and Leah Ford is a senior associate with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ energy modernization project.