Maryland regulators weigh investor-owned utilities’ flexible load proposals

Maryland utilities are working to aggregate up to 440 MW of flexible load resources, such as residential thermostats, distributed batteries, and electric vehicles, to support state-mandated virtual power plants and load management programs. The Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification Act requires utilities to develop vehicle-to-grid charging and VPP plans. Utilities like BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, and Potomac Edison are implementing time-of-use tariff proposals and pilot programs to increase customer participation in grid flexibility initiatives. The Maryland Public Service Commission has accepted modified time-of-use tariffs but rejected pilot proposals, ordering utilities to refile them for further clarity. The goal is to integrate customer-owned devices into utility operations while providing incentives and maintaining customer control, ensuring the success of demand-side management programs and distributed energy resource integration efforts in reducing peak load in a locationally relevant manner.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/maryland-regulators-weigh-investor-owned-utilities-flexible-load-proposals/817585/