Distributed Energy Resources (DER), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), and how it relates to OpenADR

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Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Flexibility with OpenADR 3

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are often discussed in terms of device type (solar, storage, EV charging, heat pumps, etc.) or interconnection requirements. In the context of OpenADR, however, a DER is first and foremost a flexibility resource: something that can respond to grid, market, or site-level signals to help balance supply and demand, support reliability, and optimize energy use. That flexibility can be delivered through different technical architectures and control pathways depending on the use case, the program, and the operating environment. OpenADR is well suited to the program and orchestration layer of this architecture, especially where mixed DER portfolios and customer-managed control strategies are involved. Another key aspect is that many DERs are customer-owned resources, therefore a coordination effort is better aligned with customer requirements than direct control.

Download the White Paper (version February 2026 - CSIP-related architectures, operating envelopes, DER orchestration examples)

A common assumption in California and beyond is that if a DER is part of a smart inverter or utility integration framework, then IEEE 2030.5 must be used across the entire communication pathway end-to-end. Our view — and the focus of this paper — is that this is not necessarily the case. IEEE 2030.5 plays an important role in Rule 21 / CSIP implementations, but an orchestration as outlined in the paper would allow using each spec for what it is good for.

This white paper explores how OpenADR 3 can complement existing DER communication frameworks, including architectures associated with CSIP and smart inverter deployments. It outlines how OpenADR can serve as a practical interoperability layer for aggregators, site controllers, and energy management platforms, while supporting utility and program objectives through clear control boundaries and scalable integration patterns. The paper also discusses how OpenADR can support emerging concepts such as operating envelopes, objective-based DER coordination, and site-level flexibility management across mixed DER portfolios.

Rather than arguing for a replacement of established standards, the paper presents a multi-standard, architecture-focused perspective: use the right protocol at the right interface, preserve interoperability, and expand practical pathways for DER participation in grid and market programs. For utilities, aggregators, vendors, and policymakers, this creates opportunities to reduce integration complexity while improving access to flexible DER capacity.

Download the white paper to explore the proposed architecture, example use cases, and the role OpenADR can play in modern DER orchestration.

Purpose of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is one of the most visible examples of how distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide flexibility to the electric grid. While V2G discussions often focus on charger types, interconnection details, and hardware compatibility, the underlying value is broader: EV batteries can act as flexible, distributed energy capacity that helps support reliability, manage peaks, and improve the integration of variable renewable generation.

As grids add more renewables, electrification loads, and distributed devices, balancing supply and demand becomes more complex. Storage is a key tool for managing this complexity because it can respond quickly. Utility-scale storage plays an important role, but it also requires significant capital investment and space. EVs, by contrast, already contain large batteries distributed across homes, workplaces, and fleets.

This is what makes V2G especially compelling. Many EV batteries have substantial energy capacity and can provide short-duration power or managed charging flexibility when coordinated appropriately. In practice, this means EVs can support grid needs in ways that are similar to stationary batteries—while also continuing to serve their primary transportation purpose.

V2G as a Flexibility Resource in OpenADR Programs

From an OpenADR perspective, V2G is not a separate category of grid interaction—it is a DER flexibility use case. OpenADR can be used to communicate program objectives (such as price signals, event requests, or targeted load-management needs) to customer- or fleet-managed systems, which then determine how best to respond using available resources, including EV charging and battery discharge where applicable.

This approach is particularly useful because V2G participation often depends on site conditions, customer preferences, vehicle availability, and mobility requirements. A site or fleet energy management system can evaluate those factors and execute an appropriate response while maintaining a clear interface to the utility or aggregator program.

In this way, OpenADR helps integrate V2G into broader flexibility programs alongside other DERs such as stationary storage, solar-plus-storage, HVAC, and controllable loads.

Grid Considerations and Inverter/Charger Coordination

Like other grid-connected DERs, V2G systems interface with the grid through power electronics and must operate within applicable grid-code and interconnection requirements. As V2G adoption grows, utilities and regulators will continue to focus on safe and reliable operation, including voltage and power-quality considerations, communications interoperability, and the coordination of many distributed assets at scale.

For this reason, V2G deployment is not only about enabling bidirectional power flow. It also requires practical coordination between:

- utility or aggregator program signals,
- site/fleet energy management systems,
- charger and vehicle capabilities, and
- applicable interconnection and grid-support requirements.

OpenADR is well suited to the program and orchestration layer of this architecture, especially where mixed DER portfolios and customer-managed control strategies are involved.

In short...

EV batteries can function as grid resources in a way similar to solar/storage DER. For example, SunPower’s Virtual Power Plant implementation utilizes all four OpenADR services:

Register: registering the VEN to the VTN
Events: receiving events from the utility, sometimes targeted to specific sites using resourceIDs
Opts: allowing users to opt out of specific events using their MySunPower app and relaying that back to the utility
Reporting: sending the utility continuous telemetry data to report on battery or site performance on an ongoing basis