Minnesota regulators grant Xcel Energy exclusive virtual power plant battery programme
Updated
Updated · Utility Dive · May 7
Minnesota regulators grant Xcel Energy exclusive virtual power plant battery programme
12 articles · Updated · Utility Dive · May 7
The decision lets Xcel deploy its own battery systems over the next two years and rejects stakeholder proposals for third-party participation and customer-owned behind-the-meter resources.
Critics say utility ownership could curb competition, customer choice and clean-energy adoption, while favouring utility-controlled infrastructure over faster expansion of rooftop solar and other distributed resources.
The report contrasts Minnesota with Maryland and Colorado, where regulators or stakeholders backed third-party aggregation, amid claims competitive virtual power plants can cut costs, boost resilience and avoid outages.
Why is a top clean energy official backing a utility plan critics call anti-competitive and overpriced?
With billions in savings at stake, why are some utilities fighting customer-owned energy networks?
Are virtual power plants a key to grid stability or a 'false solution' that fails in extreme weather?