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This policy brief by RMI argues that virtual power plants (VPPs)—aggregations of distributed energy resources like batteries and smart thermostats—have reached a scale capable of replacing traditional power plants but are not being adequately integrated into utility long-term planning. The document highlights that while VPPs are increasingly mentioned in regulatory filings, they are often not modeled as selectable resources on an equal footing with conventional generation, leading to a risk of inefficient grid overbuilding.

This briefing analyzes the PJM Board's January 2026 decision regarding the Critical Issue Fast Path for Large Load Additions (CIFP-LLA). It outlines how states within the PJM region can implement retail-level policies—such as specialized tariffs and improved forecasting—to manage the surge in data center electricity demand without increasing costs for residential ratepayers or compromising grid reliability.

This RMI fact sheet outlines the economic, grid, and environmental benefits of replacing electric resistance heating and water heating systems with heat pumps in US households.

This briefing by RMI discusses the use of 'baseline' large load tariffs and 'Bring-Your-Own' (BYO) tariffs to integrate large energy users, such as data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities, into the United States power grid while mitigating risks to other ratepayers and accelerating clean energy deployment.

This report by Ember examines the critical role of grid reliability and modernization in sustaining the economic growth of the ASEAN region. It argues that while the region has made progress in reducing outage durations, the rapid expansion of variable renewable energy (VRE) requires a transition from basic grid modernization to 'smart grids' incorporating digital intelligence and demand-side flexibility to avoid significant economic losses and energy curtailment.

This briefing by RMI explains the critical role of regional transmission in the western grid, describing it as an interconnected system where states act as both importers and exporters of electricity to maintain reliability and affordability.

This report by RMI argues that battery energy storage systems (BESS) can enhance grid reliability and affordability by providing resource adequacy, stability, and resilience. Using California and Texas as successful models, the document highlights how well-defined ancillary service markets and clear interconnection rules allow batteries to compete with fossil fuel generators, reducing costs and improving grid stability. It specifically contrasts these successes with the PJM region, where high uplift costs and interconnection hurdles hinder battery deployment.

This RMI briefing argues that aging coal-fired power plants are an unreliable and inflexible solution for meeting the rising electricity demand driven by the data center boom in the United States. The document asserts that clean, scalable resources such as battery storage and demand flexibility are better suited to the real-time operational needs of data centers and can meet over 95 percent of future demand.

RMI reports that US utilities face a projected 270 GW gap in electricity capacity due to rising demand from AI and electrification and the retirement of coal plants. While utilities are increasingly relying on gas-fired power plants, severe supply chain constraints among major turbine manufacturers—with delivery dates extending to 2030—and rising procurement costs threaten grid reliability and affordability. RMI suggests that alternative solutions such as energy efficiency, virtual power plants, and grid-enhancing technologies can meet nearly all projected near-term load growth.

This policy brief outlines how virtual power plants (VPPs)—aggregations of distributed energy resources—can address Michigan's aging distribution grid, blackout incidents, and narrowing capacity for peak demand while supporting clean energy standards of 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040.

The North Plains Connector (NPC) is a proposed 420-mile, 525 kilovolt high-voltage direct current transmission line designed to connect the western and eastern electricity grids between eastern Montana and central North Dakota. Developed by North Plains Connector LLC (a subsidiary of Grid United), the project aims to add 3,000 megawatts of bi-directional transfer capacity to improve reliability and economic benefits across the US. The project is distinguished by a "landowner-first" engagement strategy, avoiding eminent domain and modifying its route by adding 50 miles to accommodate local preferences, thereby reducing community opposition.

RMI proposes a "Power Couples" strategy to meet the surging electricity demands of AI data centers in the United States. This approach involves pairing large electricity consumers with new-build wind, solar, and battery resources located near existing generators with approved grid interconnections, allowing for rapid deployment of clean energy without compromising grid reliability or increasing costs for other ratepayers.

This briefing from Energy Innovation examines the challenges and opportunities for maintaining electric grid reliability during the transition to clean energy in the United States. It defines the components of reliability—resource adequacy, operational reliability, and resilience—and argues that while the shift to inverter-based resources (IBRs) and the retirement of fossil fuel plants create risks, these can be managed through interconnection reform, demand-side solutions, and a diverse portfolio of clean energy resources.

This report by RMI examines the challenges of forecasting large electricity loads—such as data centers and advanced manufacturing—in the United States. It argues that traditional forecasting methods are insufficient for the rapid growth and unique operational characteristics of these loads, which can lead to risks in grid reliability and customer affordability. The document provides a framework for understanding load characteristics, outlines best practices for utilities, and offers specific regulatory actions to ensure forecasts are thorough, up-to-date, and validated.

This policy brief by RMI argues that while battery energy storage systems (BESS) costs in India have dropped by 65 percent over two years, the market remains constrained by regulations that only recognize a single value stream. The document advocates for regulatory reforms to allow 'value stacking'—monetizing energy, resource adequacy, ancillary services, and infrastructure deferral—to ensure grid reliability amidst rising temperatures and record power demand.

This guide by RMI outlines how Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) can use regulatory actions to ensure utilities leverage the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to reduce costs for ratepayers. It provides four case studies from Washington, Georgia, Oregon, and New Jersey, demonstrating proactive, mid-planning, procurement-stage, and program-design interventions to improve grid affordability and reliability.

This briefing by RMI argues that battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a cleaner, more flexible, and often more cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel resources for maintaining electric grid reliability. It details how batteries can manage variable renewable energy, provide critical stability services, and support grid restoration, while urging utilities to adopt all-source procurement processes to identify the most cost-optimal reliability solutions.

This policy brief from RMI argues that Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) are a viable solution for utilities and regulators to manage electricity grid stress caused by growing loads and extreme weather during summer peaks.

Data center power demand in the US is projected to reach 35 GW by 2030, potentially accounting for 7.5% of total electricity consumption. RMI argues that this surge presents an opportunity to set a precedent for future large-scale electrification (e.g., EVs, manufacturing) by prioritizing energy efficiency, demand flexibility, grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), and carbon-free energy procurement. The document highlights the risk of utilities defaulting to new gas generation and urges regulators to implement system-level 'zoning' for the grid and equitable cost allocation for upgrades.

This policy brief by RMI outlines principles for energy regulators and policymakers to leverage virtual power plants (VPPs) to enhance grid affordability and reliability by aggregating customer-sited distributed energy resources (DERs).