What are VPPs?
Virtual power plants (VPPs) are networks of hundreds, thousands, or even millions of distributed energy resources (DERs) aggregated together to operate like traditional power plants, delivering energy and capacity to the grid.
The Case for VPPs
VPPs offer a powerful, scalable way to address key grid challenges while creating tangible benefits for businesses, households, and communities.
VPPs intelligently coordinate across a wide range of grid-interactive devices installed in homes and businesses, including battery storage, electric vehicles, building management systems, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and other types of DERs.
Earn incentives and reduce energy bills
DER owners can often receive financial incentives for participating in VPP programs, along with potential savings from shifting usage away from high-cost times, depending on geography.
Keep the lights on during energy emergencies
VPPs bolster grid reliability and energy security, lowering the risk of blackouts by responding quickly to reduce strain on the grid in targeted areas during periods of high energy demand.
Flexible capacity, without the capital investment
VPPs offer a faster, more cost-effective solution to building new traditional power plants. According to McKinsey, global demand for data center capacity could more than triple by 2030. By tapping into existing distributed resources, they help the grid meet growing demand from data centers as well as electrification while reducing overall system costs.
Sustainability
The cleanest energy is the kind you don’t use
By reducing load during peak demand, VPPs displace the need for fossil-fueled peaker plants to balance the grid, lowering emissions and improving the carbon intensity of the grid.
Leap's VPPs
Leap pays technology providers to reduce or shift energy usage across their participating customers. Partners receive dispatches from Leap and use their controls software to change device behavior.
The Grid, Reimagined
Together, we’re building a more flexible, resilient, and sustainable electric grid, powered by distributed technologies.
