Follow Us We are first in your inbox with the most important news in the industry―keeping you smarter and one-step ahead in this ever-changing and competitive market.Start your free subscription A Virtual Solution to a Real Energy Problem The need for demand response programs, particularly those that help stabilize the grid, is evident as electricity customers seek a more reliable power supply. Enter virtual power plants (VPPs), a way for communities to take a lead role in their electricity usage. A VPP proved its mettle during California’s power emergency in 2020. The virtual power plant (VPP) is one of many forms of decentralized power generation. Its place in the electricity hierarchy is often debated; some call it a supply-side initiative, others consider it an important tool for demand response, where it already has proven its worth.