DER Task Force DERVOS 2025: Deploying and Orchestrating GWs of Distributed Capacity
Jan 15, 2026
Seth Frader-Thompson, co-founder of EnergyHub, Dana Guernsey of Voltus, Ryan Long from Xcel Energy, and Chris Rauscher of Sunrun dive into the future of distributed energy systems. They discuss the critical year of 2025, the challenges of California's policies, and the need for effective metering solutions. The panel emphasizes the urgency to deploy virtual power plants to address capacity gaps, while exploring data access and customer adoption strategies. Get insights into the complexities of integrating diverse energy resources effectively.
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Batteries Matched Half A Nuclear Plant
- Chris compared summer VPP performance to nuclear by showing Tesla-operated batteries delivered roughly half a nuclear plant this summer.
- He called it frustrating that the program that achieved this scale was sidelined next year.
Use Utility-Deployed Batteries Strategically
- Utilities should deploy strategically sited distribution-front batteries to solve known grid problems.
- Combine utility-deployed assets with third-party DERs and VPPs to maximize system value.
Avoid Single-Purpose DER Lock-In
- Program fragmentation is tolerable when justified by differing state rules, but single DERs must be usable across value streams.
- Resources should be available for economic, reliability and local congestion use rather than forcing single-purpose choices.