Reports

Enabling DERs Through Industry Collaboration

May, 2026

The May 2026 report highlights recent progress in FERC Order 2222 implementation and DER policy development. SPP advanced its compliance filing, while Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, and New York launched or expanded initiatives supporting virtual power plants, energy storage, DER data access, demand response, and grid modernization. The Key Issues Analysis focuses on two companion white papers that make the case for a more integrated approach to DER planning and valuationRead Report

Communications and Controls for DERs

March, 2026

The March 2026 report summarizes recent actions advancing FERC Order 2222 and DER integration; PJM continued updating its DER aggregation tools and procedures, while states including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland advanced interconnection reform, VPP pilots, DER aggregation mandates, and demand-side management coordination. NAESB also continued work on voluntary DER entity and device registry standards. The key issue analysis focuses on communications and controls for DERs, emphasizing the need for shared data definitions and a common industry ontology. It highlights the Common Information Model (CIM) as a proven framework for consistent, scalable DER data exchange and argues that broader adoption across distribution utilities is essential to reduce costs, improve interoperability, and maintain bulk power system reliability as DER participation grows.Read Report

Communications Between DERAs & EDCs

January, 2026

The January 2026 report summarizes recent federal, regional, and state actions advancing FERC Order 2222 and DER policy. PJM, NYISO, and SPP progressed compliance filings, while several states—including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Illinois, and Oregon—advanced interconnection reforms, virtual power plant programs, and microgrid frameworks. The report's key issue analysis focuses on communications between distributed energy resource aggregators (DERAs) and electric distribution companies (EDCs), identifying gaps in current RTO/ISO tariffs and the absence of clear state-level rules. It emphasizes the need for states to define communication requirements, data exchange standards, timeliness expectations, and cost recovery to ensure reliable DER participation in wholesale markets.Read Report

Metering and Telemetry

November, 2025

The November 2025 report reviews recent progress on FERC Order 2222 and DER policy; PJM and SPP advanced compliance filings, with PJM updating tariff provisions and SPP directed to refine rules for double counting and coordination ahead of a 2030 implementation. States like Indiana and Maryland moved forward on DER aggregation frameworks and virtual power plant deployment, while Iowa proposed enabling demand response in wholesale markets. A key focus is metering and telemetry—critical for DER participation—where RTOs/ISOs differ on requirements but increasingly allow submetering. The report stresses state action on standards, data access, and collaborative models to reduce costs and accelerate DER integration.Read Report

Coordination

September, 2025

This report outlines recent developments in the implementation of FERC Order 2222 and DER policy. Key actions include FERC’s denial of rehearing on MISO’s compliance filing, NYISO’s amendment to allow heterogeneous DER aggregations, and PJM’s revised implementation timeline. State-level initiatives include Indiana’s stakeholder process, Maryland’s DRIVE Act proposals, and coordination rulemaking in Virginia and Wisconsin. The report emphasizes the growing importance of coordination among RTOs/ISOs, EDCs, DER aggregators, and regulators, detailing compliance requirements and review processes. It also highlights the evolving role of state and local regulators in setting communication protocols and adjudicating override disputes.Read Report