Philadelphia Municipal Agency Announces Request For Information For Virtual Power Plan (VPP) Solutions, Specifically Cites Retail Providers

The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) has released a Request for Information for Virtual Power Plan (VPP) solutions.

"PEA is seeking innovative ideas for virtual power plant implementation including technology solutions, implementation best practices, financial structures, and program structures. The goal is to determine how PEA, as a municipal authority, can promote and deploy VPP technologies in Philadelphia while advancing energy affordability, and serve as a national model for the deployment of VPPs by non-load serving entities in urban and other underserved areas,' PEA said

Respondents may submit either:

(i) a comprehensive proposal for the structure and elements of a VPP or

(ii) a complete, turnkey component of a VPP that they are most qualified to provide.

The RFI notes that it is seeking responses from a wide variety of various service or technology providers that will be necessary or useful components of the VPP including, including, "[r]etail energy providers and transactive energy pricing technology providers."

The RFI is also seeking, "Marketing strategies to enroll customers in the program."

"PEA hopes to use this information to develop a service contract opportunity for testing or piloting VPP and/or DER and smart building technologies in Philadelphia, other areas of Pennsylvania, and in partnership with other cities and municipalities interested in pursuing VPP technologies. Key reviewers include local utilities and state officials," PEA said

Respondents must submit their Responses electronically to: Philadelphia Energy Authority at info@philaenergy.org and include "VPP RFI – [Firm Name]" in the email subject line no later than Monday, December 19, 2022.

To access the RFI, visit https://philaenergy.org/public_bids/pea-rfi-virtual-power-plant-implementation/