Bill > HB2346

This bill requires Phase II Utilities (primarily Dominion Energy Virginia) to submit a petition to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) by December 1, 2025, to establish a virtual power plant (VPP) pilot program. A virtual power plant is an aggregation of distributed energy resources (like battery storage, smart thermostats, and electric vehicle charging systems) that can be coordinated to provide grid services. The pilot program aims to evaluate methods for optimizing electricity demand and grid capacity, with a maximum aggregation of 450 megawatts across multiple geographic regions of Virginia. The utility must propose at least 15 megawatts of incentives for residential customers to purchase battery storage devices and develop an electric school bus program, though the utility cannot own the buses themselves. The program will include a stakeholder process, review potential customer incentives, and establish operational parameters for grid services. By November 15, 2026, the utility must submit a program tariff for customer enrollment, either directly or through an aggregator. The initial pilot phase will conclude by July 1, 2028, after which the SCC will review the program's effectiveness and consider establishing a permanent program. The bill emphasizes participation from historically economically disadvantaged communities and aligns with federal energy regulatory goals of integrating distributed energy resources into the electricity market.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2346