Virtual Power Plants: The Future of Community-Powered Energy
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Join us for this free webinar on January 14, 2026 to learn about the exploding world of Distributed Energy Resources and Shared Power Solutions.
The U.S. grid is entering a new era, one where explosive demand, climate-driven disruptions, rising electricity prices, and an increasingly electrified housing stock are forcing utilities, builders, and homeowners to rethink how energy is produced, shared, and valued.
For decades, the default response to rising demand was simple: build more power plants. But more generation also means more cost, more carbon, more land use, and more infrastructure.
A quieter revolution is emerging, one that harnesses the electricity already flowing through homes and neighborhoods. This is the world of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
A Smarter, Shared Path to Power
In the simplest terms, a Virtual Power Plant is not a single massive facility—but a network of connected homes, solar panels, batteries, and connected systems that collectively operate like a flexible, responsive power plant.
Instead of asking utilities to solve the problem alone, VPPs bring builders and homeowners into the solution, enabling communities to produce power locally, store it onsite, and share excess energy, all of which support grid reliability and foster energy independence.
This shift from central power dependence to community energy empowerment is rapidly becoming one of the most important trends in the clean energy economy.
New Solutions for Changing Times
Consumer attitudes are shifting dramatically. According to COGNITION Smart Data:
68% of homeowners now say energy independence is a top priority.
Among Millennials and Gen Z, nearly 60% would pay more upfront for homes with solar + storage if it reduced long-term bills.
48% of homeowners say climate-driven grid outages have changed how they evaluate energy choices.
At the same time, builders are facing growing pressure to future-proof homes, designing for electrification, resilience, grid-interactive equipment, and peak-load flexibility.
VPPs sit at the intersection of these needs. They transform homes from passive consumers to active participants in a resilient, flexible energy system—and provide financial benefits for every stakeholder along the way.
An Essential Webinar
On January 14 at 2:00 ET, join industry expert Daran Wastchak, a pioneer in building science and energy policy, for a deep dive into how DER-based Virtual Power Plants work—and why they are poised to redefine energy in homes and communities.
Daran will explore:
What qualifies as a Distributed Energy Resource and how homes become energy assets
How DERs connect to form a Virtual Power Plant.
The major trends accelerating VPP adoption.
Where energy efficiency, solar, storage, and electrification fit into this shared-power model.
How builders and homeowners can benefit economically from participating in VPPs.
Don’t miss an opportunity to understand this transformational model, one that will define the next decade of homebuilding, energy policy, and homeowner expectations.
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.
Virtual Power Plants: The Future of Community-Powered Energy
Join us for this free webinar on January 14, 2026 to learn about the exploding world of Distributed Energy Resources and Shared Power Solutions.
The U.S. grid is entering a new era, one where explosive demand, climate-driven disruptions, rising electricity prices, and an increasingly electrified housing stock are forcing utilities, builders, and homeowners to rethink how energy is produced, shared, and valued.
For decades, the default response to rising demand was simple: build more power plants. But more generation also means more cost, more carbon, more land use, and more infrastructure.
A quieter revolution is emerging, one that harnesses the electricity already flowing through homes and neighborhoods. This is the world of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
A Smarter, Shared Path to Power
In the simplest terms, a Virtual Power Plant is not a single massive facility—but a network of connected homes, solar panels, batteries, and connected systems that collectively operate like a flexible, responsive power plant.
Instead of asking utilities to solve the problem alone, VPPs bring builders and homeowners into the solution, enabling communities to produce power locally, store it onsite, and share excess energy, all of which support grid reliability and foster energy independence.
This shift from central power dependence to community energy empowerment is rapidly becoming one of the most important trends in the clean energy economy.
New Solutions for Changing Times
Consumer attitudes are shifting dramatically. According to COGNITION Smart Data:
At the same time, builders are facing growing pressure to future-proof homes, designing for electrification, resilience, grid-interactive equipment, and peak-load flexibility.
VPPs sit at the intersection of these needs. They transform homes from passive consumers to active participants in a resilient, flexible energy system—and provide financial benefits for every stakeholder along the way.
An Essential Webinar
On January 14 at 2:00 ET, join industry expert Daran Wastchak, a pioneer in building science and energy policy, for a deep dive into how DER-based Virtual Power Plants work—and why they are poised to redefine energy in homes and communities.
Daran will explore:
Register Now!
Don’t miss an opportunity to understand this transformational model, one that will define the next decade of homebuilding, energy policy, and homeowner expectations.
By Sara Gutterman
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.Also Read