Author Identifier (ORCID)
Hemlal Bhattarai: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6512-1685
Asma Aziz: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3538-0536
Stefan W. Lachowicz: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8262-2898
Abstract
Electricity systems are changing due to the rapid deployment of distributed energy resources (DER), which also presents significant regulatory obstacles to their coordinated integration into energy markets and power grids. However, the majority of current material in publications concentrate on operational optimization and technical architectures, with little systematic synthesis of the legal and policy frameworks governing the deployment of VPP on a broad scale. To provide grid services, improve flexibility and support decarbonization objectives, virtual power plants (VPP) have become a crucial aggregation method. To close this gap, this research critically looks at the institutional roles, market structures, global policy tools and incentive systems that influence the performance and scalability of VPP. The study uses a comparative analysis of international regulatory cases to identify both: enduring obstacles such as fragmented regulatory frameworks, limited participation pathways and inadequate valuation of flexibility services; as well as important enablers such as dynamic pricing schemes, interoperability standards, open communication protocols and adaptive market access rules. A special focus is placed on consumer centric governance elements, such as data ownership, procedural equity and streamlined DER enrollment procedures. Aligned with energy transition, system reliability and equality goals, the findings highlight the necessity of cogent, technology neutral and adaptable regulatory policies. This positions VPP as a crucial policy tool for robust, low carbon and future ready energy systems.
Keywords
Aggregators, cybersecurity, distributed energy resources, energy justice, policy, regulatory framework, virtual power plants
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
8-1-2026
Volume
101
Publication Title
Utilities Policy
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Engineering
RAS ID
94334
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Bhattarai, H., Aziz, A., & Lachowicz, S. W. (2026). Policy and regulation in virtual power plants development. Utilities Policy, 101, 102212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2026.102212