Fwd: Net Metering +Yesterday's Latitude Media Webinar re VPPs Ongoing Move from Skepticism to Grid-Scale Trust

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Mike Mullett

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Feb 7, 2026, 9:13:37 AMFeb 7
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Fellow Siren List-Serve Members -
 
    As Darrell Boggess and Alex Jorck already know, I have  heard in writing from Duke Energy Indiana regarding the question of whether the utility has liberalized its previous policies regarding grandfathered Net Metering customers expanding their solar systems in excess of the AC-rated capacities of their current inverters while retaining Net Metering ratemaking treatment for the entire expanded system. 
 
    The answer is definitely NO -- see Jim Hummel's e-mail below.
 
    That said, I will strongly encourage all grandfathered Net Metering customers to join in the ongoing campaign to move Duke Energy Indiana to the next level of acceptance and adoption of Virtual (aka Distributed) Power Plants (VPPs) -- which will be a much better long-term solution for all DEI customers, including but not limited to grandfathered Net Metering customers.
 
    On this matter, see my second e-mail immediately below Jim Hummel's forwarded e-mail. Then, PLEASE read my e-mail, watch the linked webinar, and then read the linked White Paper to learn where the electricity market is rapidly moving nationally with VPPs.  Then join the campaign to move DEI to the "solid" Level 2 for VPP adoption here in Indiana which Duke Energy claims in the webinar for its holding company as a whole on the way to the Level 3 claimed for Duke Energy Florida and the national market generally, followed by a further move to  the Level 4 being advocated by VPP advocates and vendors nationally as explained in the linked webinar and White Paper.
 
    Thanks! 
 
    Mike
 
_________________________________________________________________________
 
 

Hi Mike –

 

As I’m sure you know the IURC issued a GAO when grandfathering of net metering first occurred (attached). When a customer is modifying an existing solar system, our policy is to follow the GAO. It provides (at part II(D)(3)), that increasing the AC output of the inverters (nameplate capacity) would be viewed as a replacement.  Therefore, grandfathered net metering would end and the customer would be placed on the new EDG tariff (with instantaneous netting) once the updated interconnection agreement is approved.

 

The review of interconnection applications and the associated grandfathering of net metering is reviewed by individuals in our Renewable Service Center.  We are in the process performing an internal review to ensure that there is consistency in applying the grandfathering rules.  If we find inconsistencies, we will correct them. If there are specific instances that we can address, please let us know.  I will be the point of contact to address these issues. 

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

 

From: Karn, Kelley A <Kelle...@duke-energy.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 2:43 PM
To: Mike Mullett <mulle...@aol.com>
Cc: dar...@sirensolar.org; ajo...@gmail.com; Hummel, Jim <Jim.H...@duke-energy.com>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] DEI Net Metering Question for You to Address

 

Hi Mike – We will look into this and get back to you.

 

Happy to say, glad we all weathered the latest storm.  Stay warm!

 

 

From: Mike Mullett <mulle...@aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 2:35 PM
To: Karn, Kelley A <Kelle...@duke-energy.com>
Cc: dar...@sirensolar.org; ajo...@gmail.com
Subject: [EXTERNAL] DEI Net Metering Question for You to Address

 

*** CAUTION! EXTERNAL SENDER *** STOP. ASSESS. VERIFY!! Were you expecting this email? Are grammar and spelling correct? Does the content make sense? Can you verify the sender? If suspicious report it, then do not click links, open attachments or enter your ID or password.

Good afternoon, Kelley -

 

    I hope that you and yours have survived Winter Storm Fern and done so without an electric outage -- which I am quite happy to report is Patti's and my situation here at our home in Columbus!

 

    That critical matter aside, on the SIREN list-serve recently, the issue has arisen whether DEI is currently permitting existing Net Metering customers to replace or expand their solar systems to increase their existing AC capacity (as measured at the inverter and reflected in their existing interconnection agreement) for the new or expanded system and its interconnection agreement such that those customers may avoid "instantaneous netting" for the new or expanded system at its increased capacity in its entirety.

 

    Please address this issue at your earliest opportunity and with any additional detail as to timing or other circumstances which you may consider relevant to explain your response as this matter is attracting considerable attention and discussion "in the real world" at this time.

 

    Thank you!

 

    Mike

 

P.S. -- As you should see, I am copying both Darrell Boggess and Alex Jorck on my e-mail and would request you do the same on your reply as they share my avid interest in this issue.

 

Michael A. Mullett

723 Lafayette Avenue

Columbus, IN 47201

E-Mail: mulle...@aol.com 

__________________________________________________________________________________
 
Overall, I would consider this to be a most informative and encouraging webinar regarding the threcent movement nationally from  skepticism to grid-scale trust of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
 
That said, with respect to encouragement, I would distinguish the presentation and Q&A offered by Duke spokesperson Stacy Phillips, which the webinar host from Latitude Media and the other presenter from Energy Hub essentially agreed described Duke as "moving toward more trust" but still "skeptical" of VPPs, with Duke's present position being a "solid 2" on a scale of 0 to 4 (4 being the highest level of VPP development and 3 being the current state of the electricity industry as a whole).  Ms. Phillips agreed with that "grade".
 
As a result, being a Duke Energy Indiana customer myself, I was definitely disappointed -- especially since those of us who follow these matters closely well know that Duke Energy Indiana is trailing Duke Energy as a whole, especially in Florida and the Carolinas.
 
Nonetheless, I would encourage everyone to take the hour to watch the webinar because it does eventually get into the details sufficiently to convey very clearly where Duke is and why it is trailing those utilities leading and those matching the current state of the market.  Bottom line, I would characterize Ms. Phillips as explaining Duke's trailing position being driven by  skepticism in the Control Center and the IT Department as to whether VPP operators can meet their needs without Duke having to worry about it or, perish the thought, do something themselves about it.   
 
But, I must concede that Ms. Phillips did herself -- with pride in voice and a smile on her face -- make the claim that, for reasons unexplained, the Duke folks in Florida, being willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved in addressing issues, have been able to work with the VPP operators to get to the point of mutual satisfaction. See especially from Minute 38 until the end of the webinar.
 
Also, I would encourage those who are REALLY interested to follow Latitude's strong recommendation and read the White Paper which can be found on its website at 
 
 
    Mike
 
Michael A. Mullett
723 Lafayette Avenue
Columbus, IN 47201
 
 
GAO-2017-2-Order-8-9-17_201708091350.pdf
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