The Current | CPower Energy

The Current by CPower publishes news and insights from the people shaping our clean energy future. Explore trends, understand policy drivers and learn about innovation that is enabling the Customer-Powered Grid^™.

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Capture Energy Incentives and Strengthen the Power Grid

by CPower

Electrification, rising EV adoption and extreme weather events have put a tremendous strain on our power grid. The resulting power outages and rolling blackouts that come from [...]

Why wait? VPPs can help PJM now

This article first appeared on Utility Dive on Aug. 14, 2024. Click here to view. Even though PJM’s capacity prices hit record highs for 2025-26, they could go even higher or remain elevated unless the grid operator’s generation capacity can catch up with its surging demand. PJM Interconnection’s record-high capacity prices for next year may send a […]

PJM Capacity Prices Prove Need for VPPs

The sharp increase in PJM capacity prices for the grid operator’s next delivery year demonstrates the value of balancing supply and demand with existing resources. Rising more than 800%, PJM capacity prices have reached record highs as North America’s largest wholesale electricity market grapples with tightening supply and escalating demand. Generator capacity is being retired […]

VPPs and CPower: Q&A with CEO Michael D. Smith

CEO Michael D. Smith knew CPower was a leading enabler of the energy transition when he took the helm a year ago, but he has since learned the extent of that role. As the nation’s largest virtual power plant (VPP) provider, CPower boosts grid reliability while helping customers unlock the full value of their distributed […]

VPPs and Flexible Demand Response: Bitcoin Mining Flexes its Capabilities

We’re excited to have our technology partner, Auradine contribute this guest column for The Current. In an era of continuously rising energy consumption, the need for efficient and sustainable energy management solutions has never been more critical. Demand response programs, particularly those that require extreme flexibility and near instantaneous reactions from energy users, are emerging […]

The Latest from the US open energy markets

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Why wait? VPPs can help PJM now

This article first appeared on Utility Dive on Aug. 14, 2024. Click here to view. Even though PJM’s capacity prices hit record highs for 2025-26, they could go even higher...

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PJM Capacity Prices Prove Need for VPPs

The sharp increase in PJM capacity prices for the grid operator’s next delivery year demonstrates the value of balancing supply and demand with existing resources. Rising more than 800%, PJM...

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VPPs and CPower: Q&A with CEO Michael D. Smith

CPower CEO Michael Smith called this year’s virtual power plant-focused GridFuture event a ‘milestone,’ citing the engagement of employees and participation of outside thought leaders. CEO Michael D. Smith knew...

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VPPs and Flexible Demand Response: Bitcoin Mining Flexes its Capabilities

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Summer Electricity Demand: A Region-by-Region Outlook

Calendars may show that summer didn’t start until June 20, but thermometers across the country in the past few weeks have suggested otherwise. From heat domes in the Southwest to...

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Sustainability Goals Spur Virtual Power Plant Projects

Large energy users view virtual power plant projects as ways to help the environment. We could accelerate a cleaner and greener future by harnessing that motivation. The percentage of commercial...

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How One Midwest State Aims to Create More Value from Distributed Energy

If states are to fully unlock the value of distributed energy resources (DERs), utilities will have to pay customers for all the grid services they can provide with their DERs....

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Everything You Need to Know About New York’s New DER & Aggregation Participation Model

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)’s new DER & Aggregation Participation Model reflects how far distributed energy resources (DERs) have come as well as the potential they can unlock...

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CPower’s Team is Committed to Clean Energy Future

CPower volunteers picked up trash in Patterson Park in Baltimore as part of the company’s 2024 Spring Day of Caring. At CPower, we take pride in our vision of shaping...

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Solar Eclipse Gives VPPs Chance to Shine

Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio A total solar eclipse will move across North America at more than 1,500 miles per hour on April 8. The moon will totally block the...