AriSEIA Submits Comments on Trico VPP

READ THE FILING

The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) filed comments with the Arizona Corporation Commission supporting Trico Electric Cooperative’s proposed virtual power plant (VPP) program and urging the Commission to move it forward without further delay. The program would allow Trico to dispatch batteries already installed by its members during periods of peak demand, helping reduce purchased power and potentially defer costly grid investments. AriSEIA commended Trico for voluntarily proposing the program and for recent changes that reduced dispatches to no more than 1 per day and added an opt-out right for participating customers.

AriSEIA recommended several changes designed to improve participation and ensure the pilot produces meaningful results. Most importantly, compensation should be based on the power batteries actually deliver during VPP events rather than their installed inverter capacity. AriSEIA also recommended allowing leased and third-party-owned batteries and aggregators to participate, expanding eligibility regardless of a customer’s rate schedule, raising the proposed 1,000-customer enrollment limit, establishing clear limits on dispatch events and hours, and guaranteeing advance notice of events. Additional recommendations include standards-based equipment eligibility, protections against event-related recharging costs, greater flexibility for customers who rely on batteries for backup power, and an evaluation and reporting plan.
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The application has been pending since 2024, and AriSEIA urged the Commission not to allow another year to pass without action. Batteries installed throughout Trico’s territory represent existing capacity that could be helping the cooperative meet peak demand, yet no customers can participate until the tariff is approved. AriSEIA asked the Commission to approve the VPP now and, if changes are necessary, direct Trico to make them through a compliance filing within 60 days. A successful Trico program could put otherwise idle distributed storage to work for the grid while providing a model that other Arizona utilities can build upon.