California bill would unlock distributed energy participation in grid resource adequacy market

California Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) has introduced legislation aimed at integrating customer-owned energy resources into the state’s grid as a formal reliability tool.

The bill, SB 913, would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to update its Resource Adequacy (RA) rules to allow aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs), including home batteries, electric vehicles, and smart thermostats, to compete alongside traditional power plants. Proponents argue the measure could lower ratepayer costs by reducing the state’s reliance on expensive gas peaker plants during periods of high demand.

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