NJ A6159

Directs the Board of Public Utilities to establish a demand optimization program using virtual power plants with a target of 500 megawatts peak demand reduction by 2030

Virtual power plants aggregate distributed energy resources such as battery storage, electric vehicle chargers, smart thermostats, and solar systems to coordinate grid services and reduce reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants

Requires each electric public utility to file an implementation plan and annual compliance reports; the BPU may disallow cost recovery if utilities fail to meet performance metrics

Prohibits electric utilities from directly controlling virtual power plants or customer demand response systems, requiring third-party DER aggregators to manage these systems instead

Mandates that low- and moderate-income customers and overburdened communities be included in and benefit from the program