National Grid and Leap Expand Virtual Power Plant Initiative in Massachusetts

Leap and National Grid are expanding their virtual power plant initiative to Massachusetts, following a successful pilot in New York. The partnership aims to support Massachusetts' climate goals by reducing electricity usage during grid strain times. Selected National Grid office buildings in Massachusetts will participate in the state's Clean Peak Standard and ConnectedSolutions grid services programs. Leap's software-only solution allows distributed energy resources to participate in energy markets, forming virtual power plants that reduce reliance on fossil-fueled "peaker" plants.

Following a successful pilot in New York, National Grid and Leap are expanding their virtual power plant (VPP) initiative to selected National Grid facilities in Massachusetts. This collaboration aims to support Massachusetts' climate goals by reducing electricity usage during periods of grid strain. Through Leap's software-only solution, select National Grid office buildings in Massachusetts will participate in the state's Clean Peak Standard and ConnectedSolutions grid services programs [1][2].

The initiative leverages Leap's technology, which enables distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, EV chargers, and HVAC systems to participate in energy markets. By aggregating these DERs into virtual power plants, Leap helps balance the grid with less reliance on fossil-fueled "peaker" plants. This approach not only enhances local grid resilience but also reduces carbon emissions, benefiting Massachusetts residents and advancing the state's climate goals [1][2].

National Grid's VP of New England Operations Support, Amanda Downey, underscored the importance of demonstrating the critical role distributed energy solutions play in the energy transition. "By operating our office buildings as a virtual power plant, National Grid will enhance local grid resilience and lower carbon emissions, benefiting Massachusetts residents and advancing the state’s climate goals," she said [1][2].

Leap's Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder, Thomas Folker, expressed pride in expanding the collaboration with National Grid. "National Grid’s program underscores the immense potential of using grid-interactive buildings as resources to strengthen and decarbonize the energy system," he noted [1][2].

The expansion of this initiative follows a breakout session at National Grid's NextGrid Alliance Summit in Boston, where Folker discussed Leap's New York pilot with senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy. The annual Summit brings together utilities, regulators, and startups to focus on innovative solutions for grid transformation [1][2].

National Grid Partners, the utility's venture investment and innovation arm, is an investor in Leap. The organization invests in startups whose technology has the potential to help National Grid's business units accelerate the energy transition [1][2].

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250626846597/en/Leap-Powering-National-Grids-Virtual-Power-Plant-Initiative-in-Massachusetts
[2] https://cleantechnica.com/2025/06/26/leap-powers-national-grids-virtual-power-plant-initiative-in-massachusetts/