The case for using prices rather than VPPs to coordinate distributed energy episode artwork

EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 1H 30M

The case for using prices rather than VPPs to coordinate distributed energy

from Volts · host David Roberts

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribeMost people think that coordinating the behavior of thousands of distributed energy resources requires some kind of third-party middleman, like an aggregator managing a VPP. My guest today, veteran research scientist Bruce Nordman, believes there’s a better way: dynamic, time- and location-specific retail prices, communicated directly to consumer devices, which would cut out the middleman and leave more value with customers.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 8, 2026

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The case for using prices rather than VPPs to coordinate distributed energy

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