California CCAs Partner with ev.energy to Create Statewide Virtual Power Plant

PALO ALTO, CA, October 29, 2024 - ev.energy, a global leader in smart electric vehicle (EV) charging, has advanced its partnership with community choice aggregators MCE and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) to launch dynamic rate tiers within their managed charging programs as part of the groundbreaking ChargeWise project.

Backed by funding from the California Energy Commission’s REDWDS grant, ChargeWise aims to create a 300MW Virtual Power Plant (VPP) by integrating EVs with California’s power grid by 2027. The initiative will support the state’s clean energy goals, improve equitable access to affordable charging, and help lower energy bills for participants. Phase 1 of this effort will demonstrate and test the novel pricing signal and automation prior to ev.energy scaling up to 300MW.

As the first partners to leverage ev.energy’s advanced managed EV charging technology, MCE and SVCE have opened up access for their customers to opt-in to dynamic reward tiers within the MCE Sync and SVCE GridShift programs. This incentivizes drivers to charge during times when electricity is cheapest in the wholesale market, reducing the cost of energy while maximizing renewable energy usage. 

On average participants can earn $240 per year, up to a maximum of $530. Bonus incentives are also available for referring a friend, participating in surveys, and more. In turn, MCE and SVCE will gain critical insights into customer behavior and the impacts of dynamic pricing on load shifting, resource adequacy, and energy economics to shape future rate and program designs.

ev.energy is also collaborating with other CCA partners including Sonoma Clean Power and Peninsula Clean Energy, and is working to unlock Phase 2 funding with the California Energy Commission. This will enable broader collaboration with new partners, including investor-owned utilities, municipalities, fleet operators, and community groups to scale managed charging to 275,000 California EV drivers.

Addressing California’s EV Future

California is home to over 1 million electric vehicles, and by 2035, all new cars sold in the state will be electric. Without managed charging, peak demand could overwhelm the grid, leading to expensive infrastructure upgrades and rate hikes. Additionally, with California’s commitment to sourcing 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2045, flexible charging solutions are essential to align EV charging with daily shifts in renewable generation.

ChargeWise will enroll 275,000 EV drivers by 2027, with 50% from disadvantaged or low-income communities. By optimizing charging through real-time grid signals, the project will create a VPP equivalent to three gas-powered peaking plants, helping to alleviate grid congestion, lower energy bills, and accelerate California’s transition to a clean energy future.

Benefits to California:

• Economic Savings: Lower energy bills for all ratepayers and off-bill incentives for EV drivers.
• Environmental Impact: The VPP aims to displace the equivalent of three fossil-fuel peaking plants, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in underserved communities.
• Energy Equity: Prioritizing low-income communities for affordable, clean energy access.
• Carbon Reduction: Preventing over 1.3 million tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing 275,000 gasoline cars from the road.

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"As California's first community choice program, MCE is committed to creating equitable clean energy solutions for our customers. Our partners, including ev.energy and the CEC, help us deploy innovative programs that benefit our communities and our electric grid to make electricity more affordable and reliable," said Jamie Tuckey, Chief Customer Officer at MCE.

"Silicon Valley Clean Energy embraces the innovation of the clean energy transformation,” said Monica Padilla, SVCE CEO, “the scalability and learnings to come from continuing to pilot managed EV charging and testing even more dynamic pricing will benefit the California grid, while continuing to empower residents to save money and reduce emissions.”

"This extended partnership with MCE and SVCE marks an exciting milestone in unlocking the potential of EVs to support the grid and reduce costs for consumers. ChargeWise sets a blueprint for scalable, managed charging programs that can be adopted not just in California, but across the world," said William Goldsmith, Director of Strategy & Innovation at ev.energy.

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Utilities, municipalities, fleet operators, community groups, and other organizations interested in joining ChargeWise can click here to contact William Goldsmith or Nate Underwood.

About the California Energy Commission

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies. 

About MCE

MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 585,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. Setting the standard for clean energy in California since 2010, MCE leads with 60–100% renewable, fossil-free power at stable rates, serving a 1,400 MW peak load, significantly reducing greenhouse emissions, and reinvesting millions in local programs. For more information about MCE, visit mceCleanEnergy.org, or follow us on your preferred social platform @mceCleanEnergy.

Media contact: 

Jenna Tenney

communications@mceCleanEnergy.org

925-378-6747

About Silicon Valley Clean Energy

Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 275,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org .

Media contact: 

Michaela Pippin

michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org

(408)549-2690

About ev.energy

ev.energy is a Certified B Corporation® with a mission to make EV charging greener, cheaper, and smarter for utilities and their customers. Its end-to-end software platform wirelessly connects to electric vehicles and chargers to intelligently manage EV charging while working with utilities to put cash back in customers’ wallets for charging at grid-friendly times. With a global base of utility, vehicle OEM, and EVSE partners, ev.energy manages more than 200,000 EVs on its platform each day. Learn more at https://www.ev.energy/. 

Media contact: press@ev.energy

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