The Benefits of Virtual Power Plants: Real World Examples

NCRES - The Benefits of Virtual Power Plants: Real World Examples

We'll be joined by Geoff Ferrell of sonnen to discuss how Virtual Power Plants of distributed consumer-owned batteries can enhance the value of solar PV and provide value to all shareholders in the grid. He'll highlight solar plus storage VPP projects, including the Soleil Lofts multi-family housing development in Utah. Soleil Lofts is a 600 unit all-electric apartment community with 5 MW solar, 12.6 MWh energy storage, and 150+ electric vehicle chargers. The project was developed by sonnen in partnership with Rocky Mountain Power, Soleil Power, and the property developer, Wasatch Group.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Geoff leads the sonnen Virtual Power Plant and C&I project team, designed to create and implement revenue-generating virtual power plant projects across the Western Hemisphere. Prior to sonnen, Ferrell championed significant technological innovations in home building and building science, as the CTO of Mandalay Homes and played a central role in contributing to the receipt of the US Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Housing Innovation Award 12 times.

His background in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a proven record of excellence in energy management and revolutionary building design has resulted in ground-breaking energy design around utility rates and VPPs for communities like Mandalay Homes’ Jasper Community in Arizona which includes 2,900 homes over 15 years.

He has consulted with NREL, PNNL, City of Fort Collins, DOE, and EPA on clean and efficient energy design projects and is recognized for innovation and leadership in the energy management and home building industries with numerous awards from the DOE, EPA, GreenBuilder and Professional Builder Magazine.

The program was hosted by Peter Eberle, CRES Chair and NCRES Program Manager.

A question and answer session followed the presentation.

TIMELINE:

0:00 Welcome and announcements - Peter Eberle
2:33 Presentation - Geoff Ferrell
58.43 Q&A

This program was organized by the Northern Colorado chapter of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society and was recorded at their March 12, 2024 meeting. Contact us at [email protected] or visit us online at https://www.cres-energy.org/.

CREDITS:

Video production by Brian Beinlich, https://brianbeinlich.com.
Intro/outro music: “Glimpsing Infinity” by Asher Fulero via the YouTube Audio library. Image courtesy of sonnen.

ABOUT CRES:

For more than 25 years, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) and its local chapters have provided education, policy advocacy, and community engagement to accelerate Colorado toward a 100% renewable energy future. CRES is a statewide, non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)3 membership organization that drives environmental, social, and economic benefits for our communities by promoting all forms of renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, high-performance buildings, and other low- or zero-carbon solutions.

CRES features several local monthly speaker series throughout the state, provides speakers, experts, and workshops, and weighs in on state energy policy.

Learn more about CRES, membership, and how you can sign up to become a speaker or volunteer by visiting our website at https://cres-energy.org.