As the fastest, most cost-effective way to add flexible capacity to the grid, virtual power plants should be transforming utility planning. Instead, much of the industry still treats them as supplemental rather than foundational. This mindset constrains long-term planning, forcing utilities to rely on incremental fixes instead of building scalable, integrated solutions that maximize efficiency.
The stakes have never been higher. As electricity load skyrockets and affordability concerns intensify, attempting to meet all the grid’s needs solely by building new infrastructure is simply too costly and too slow. While some utilities are already championing VPPs as a solution, widespread adoption hinges on proving these resources are as dependable as conventional generation.
In this Frontier Forum, edge DERMS provider EnergyHub introduces two tools designed to establish that credibility: the Huels Test and the VPP Maturity Model.
The Huels Test asks a simple question: From the grid operator’s perspective, are the capabilities of a VPP indistinguishable from those of a traditional power plant? The VPP Maturity Model goes further, mapping how the tool evolves from basic demand response (Level 0) to fully autonomous, grid-adaptive systems (Level 4) that can outperform conventional generation. Both concepts are introduced and explored in the recent EnergyHub white paper, Building trustworthy virtual power plants: The VPP Maturity Model.
Stacy Phillips from Duke Energy joins EnergyHub co-founder Seth Frader-Thompson to describe Duke’s journey up this maturity curve. They’ll discuss what it takes to earn trust across utility teams, integrate VPPs into control room operations, and convince regulators that these resources deserve planning and investment.
Can’t attend live? Register to receive a recording of the Frontier Forum.
Who should attend?
- Utilities
- Utility regulators
- DER providers
- Auto OEMs
- Investors
- Policymakers
