The grid edge is evolving faster than ever. New technologies, shifting policies, and rising electrification are reshaping how the U.S. power system operates at every level.

Utilities are under pressure to deliver reliability, resilience, and decarbonization — but traditional infrastructure solutions can’t solve these challenges alone.

This report brings clarity to the current state — and future — of the grid edge, offering the latest data, trends, and insights from industry experts and EnergyHub’s network of 80+ utility partners.

What’s inside:

• Regulatory and market snapshot: Get up to speed on the policies, market signals, and consumer trends accelerating VPP growth.
• DER trends to watch: Explore the latest behind-the-meter developments, including shifting consumer adoption patterns and emerging best practices for program design and management across DER types.
• New use cases and technology: Discover cutting-edge flexibility strategies, including multi-level load limiting, dynamic load shaping, localized dispatch and more. Learn why Edge DERMS platforms are becoming critical infrastructure as utilities move toward precise, year-round, cross-DER dispatch.
• Real-world case studies: Get insights from EnergyHub’s 100+ flexibility programs and learn how utilities like National Grid, APS, and the Ontario IESO are building smarter, more scalable VPPs using thermostats, batteries, and EVs.