Texas Clean Energy 2026

Distributed energy resources (DERs), and virtual power plants (VPPs) are potential solutions to transmission constraints, rising retail energy costs, and broader grid challenges in Texas. However, integrating these resources into grid planning, pricing, and operations remains complex, requiring new market frameworks, aggregation pathways, and coordination between utilities, operators, and customers. Better communication across stakeholders is needed, while questions persist around incentives, rate design, and customer protections. DERs and VPPs improve flexibility, reduce peak demand, and support reliability, though their full impact on nodal pricing and system costs is still evolving. This panel will explore how distributed assets tap into the market, scale, and contribute to a more resilient and responsive energy system.

• DERs and VPPs big picture: How will they impact the larger grid, the distribution system, nodal pricing, and transmission costs? What is needed to foster more widespread efforts?
• Are any new bills anticipated in the 90^th session to address DG and DER issues? What about expanding the ADER task force or the Texas Emergency Response Service program?
• ADER Phase 3 and the Wholesale Market Subcommittee: What has emerged? How is the push to allow DSPs and LSEs to communicate with DERs and ADERs progressing?
• Resi market: Is the solar installer contraction levelling out, and can state incentives or rate design help? Are bad actors adding to the problems, and what can regulators do to help?
• Are incentives and penalties effectively rewarding load flexibility? How flexible are commercial and industrial facilities really? Is increased data visibility happening?

Which communities are missing out or lack access to DERs/VPPs? Why, and how can we improve access? Updated retail and regulatory incentives? BTM load shifting?