Leap Powering National Grid’s Virtual Power Plant Initiative in Massachusetts
Leap, a leading virtual power plant (VPP) platform, and National Grid, one of world’s largest energy utilities, announced the expansion of their grid services collaboration to selected National Grid facilities in Massachusetts. Building on a successful pilot project in New York, this initiative will enable the Massachusetts facilities to easily access virtual power plant (VPP) opportunities that help advance the state’s climate goals.
Through Leap’s software-only solution, select National Grid office buildings in Massachusetts will participate in the state’s Clean Peak Standard and ConnectedSolutions grid services programs. This will lower the buildings’ electricity usage during periods of grid strain.
“We’re proud to expand our collaboration with National Grid and bring the advantages of VPP solutions to these Massachusetts facilities,” said Thomas Folker, Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Leap. “National Grid’s program underscores the immense potential of using grid-interactive buildings as resources to strengthen and decarbonize the energy system.”
At National Grid’s most recent NextGrid Alliance Summit in Boston, Folker joined senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy for a breakout session on how VPPs can help reduce customer costs and balance grid demand. Folker shared insights from Leap’s initiative facilitating VPP participation for National Grid’s New York facilities. The annual Summit brings together utilities, regulators and startups to focus on innovative solutions for grid transformation.
“By operating our office buildings as a virtual power plant, National Grid will enhance local grid resilience and lower carbon emissions, benefiting Massachusetts residents and advancing the state’s climate goals,” said Amanda Downey, VP of New England Operations Support at National Grid. “It's important to walk the walk and continue demonstrating the critical role distributed energy solutions can play in the energy transition.”
Leap’s technology enables distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, EV chargers, and HVAC systems to easily participate in energy markets. By aggregating loads from DERs into virtual power plants, Leap enables operators to balance the grid with less reliance on fossil-fueled “peaker” plants.
Massachusetts’ Clean Peak Energy Standard program offers incentives to clean technologies that boost energy supply or reduce demand during seasonal periods of peak demand. ConnectedSolutions provides incentives to residential and commercial electric customers that allow their excess energy to be used as virtual power plants during times of peak demand.
National Grid Partners, the utility’s venture investment and innovation arm, is an investor in Leap. The organization invests in startups whose technology has potential to help National Grid's business units accelerate the energy transition.
Leap | https://www.leap.energy/
National Grid Partners | ngpartners.com
