Utility-led VPP programs in North America have the capability to scale more quickly than traditional supply-side resources, while providing meaningful contributions to resource adequacy and, ultimately, downward pressure on rates. In this era of increasing load growth and retail rates, this panel will explore several examples of utility-led programs from a trifecta of perspectives: utility, regulator, and VPP provider. This session will provide concrete examples of multi-DER VPP strategies, including those that provide benefits to all ratepayers, not just program participants.

As distributed solar and storage adoption grows across the Mid-Atlantic, policymakers and utilities face the challenge of innovating rate design by balancing customer incentives with cost recovery and grid reliability and avoiding cross subsidization. This panel will explore emerging compensation frameworks in the PJM Market, — from time-of-use and avoided cost rates to; value-of-solar tariffs; and hybrid storage compensation and what they mean for developers, utilities, and customers.

The Mid-Atlantic is facing an unprecedented surge in load growth, largely driven from built or prospective data centers in the region. As the PJM Interconnection grapples with this demand, it faces intensifying pressure from both state governors and the White House. This session will explore the impacts of this emerging federal-state coalition and provide direct insights into how PJM is addressing challenges related to expanding capacity and streamlining its interconnection queue.