Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, plans to unveil an integrated resource plan (IRP) this week that elevates virtual power plants as a means to meet new energy needs. Virtual power plants aggregate distributed energy resources and orchestrate their operation via a central control system. Virtual power plants use distributed energy resources, controlled by a central authority. Due to the Michigan Public Service Commission June 15, the IRP calls for virtual power plants in the form of demand response, energy efficiency, and grid modernization tools. Consumers Energy expects the virtual power plants to reduce energy demand 22 percent by 2040. While the proposal increases distributed and renewable energy resources, it calls for shutting down two of the utility’s centralized coal-fired units at the Karn Generating Complex near Bay City in 2023. The increase in clean energy is part of the a broader company strategy to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent […]