Seth Frader-Thompson

Seth Frader-Thompson, Founder and CEO of EnergyHub, dives into the world of virtual power plants (VPPs). He explains the different maturity levels of VPPs, highlighting what separates effective systems from mere demand response. Discussion includes the importance of diverse energy resources, the Huells test for VPP evaluation, and how VPPs can help avoid costly distribution upgrades. Seth also emphasizes the need for practical regulatory frameworks to boost VPP deployment and shares exciting goals for reaching 100 GW by 2035.

Seth Frader-Thompson, CEO and co-founder of EnergyHub, shares his journey from aerospace engineering to leading a major virtual power plant platform. He discusses EnergyHub's innovative VPP capabilities, including their unique Huels Test. The conversation dives into the benefits of VPPs versus traditional power plants and the intricacies of starting a clean tech company. Seth emphasizes the importance of data in managing distributed energy resources and the evolving dynamics within the utility industry, making it a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs in energy.

Kerri Carnes, Director of Customer-to-Grid Solutions at Arizona Public Service, and Seth Frader-Thompson, Co-founder of EnergyHub, share insights on the growing role of virtual power plants (VPPs) in utility management. They discuss how APS transformed a modest demand response initiative into a robust 190-megawatt VPP using smart thermostats and batteries. The conversation highlights building trust in VPPs, their advantages over traditional power plants, and how they can effectively tackle rising energy demands from new technologies.