GFO-25-302 - Coordinated Holistic Orchestration of Inverter-based Resources (CHOIR) Grant

The California Energy Commission's GFO-25-302 initiative, known as CHOIR, aims to advance virtual power plants that effectively coordinate inverter-based resources like solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. This program is crucial for enhancing power quality, mitigating grid congestion, and promoting clean energy within disadvantaged communities in California. By fostering innovation in energy management, CHOIR supports the state's transition to a sustainable energy future, aligning with goals for carbon neutrality and energy efficiency.

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.
Coordinated Holistic Orchestration of Inverter-based Resources (CHOIR)
Purpose
The purpose of this solicitation is to demonstrate and advance the capabilities of virtual power plants (VPPs) that coordinate high concentrations of inverter-based distributed energy resources (IBDERs) – such as solar photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electric vehicles (EV) – to provide distribution-level power quality services, alleviate grid congestion due to electrification growth, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Location: The demonstration and deployment must be located in a Disadvantaged Community per CalEnviroScreen 4.0, in a California electric IOU service territory and optimized within a single substation area or within a single distribution circuit. Where applicable, applicants may also partner with Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) operating within the selected IOU’s service territory.