BGE Proposes Load-Management Strategy to Modernize Maryland's Electric Grid

Utility's plan aims to reduce strain on the grid and lower energy costs for customers.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:39am

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A minimalist illustration using bold geometric shapes and primary colors to represent the concept of a virtual power plant, with interconnected home batteries, electric vehicles, and smart devices working together to balance energy demand on the grid.A virtual power plant of interconnected customer devices helps BGE balance energy demand and keep costs down.Baltimore Today

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has announced a proposal to connect customer-owned devices like home battery storage, electric vehicles, and other smart devices to create virtual power plants. This strategy is intended to help balance the grid during high-demand periods, lower peak energy costs, and maintain system reliability.

Why it matters

BGE's proposal is a response to Maryland's Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act of 2024, which aims to modernize the state's electric grid and make energy more affordable for customers. If approved, the program could serve as a model for other utilities looking to leverage customer-owned devices to manage grid demand and costs.

The details

Under BGE's proposal, customers would be able to enroll in a program to earn incentives for allowing the utility to temporarily adjust how their devices use electricity during times of high energy demand. This would help reduce strain on the grid and lower peak energy costs. BGE cited similar virtual power plant programs in California and Puerto Rico as having successfully maintained system reliability and avoided outages.

  • BGE announced the proposal on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • A Maryland Public Service Commission hearing to review BGE's proposal is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The players

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)

A utility company that provides electric and natural gas services to customers in central Maryland.

Maryland Public Service Commission

The state regulatory agency responsible for overseeing public utilities in Maryland.

Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act of 2024

A Maryland law that aims to modernize the state's electric grid and make energy more affordable for customers.

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What they’re saying

“BGE's proposed solutions give customers more tools to manage their energy use, save money and support a cleaner, more resilient grid.”

— John Frain, Vice President of Regulatory Policy and Strategy, BGE

What’s next

If BGE's proposal is approved, customers will be able to enroll and earn incentives during a two-year pilot period that will inform how future permanent programs are administered.

The takeaway

BGE's proposal to create virtual power plants using customer-owned devices is a innovative approach to modernizing the electric grid and making energy more affordable. If successful, it could serve as a model for other utilities looking to leverage distributed energy resources to manage grid demand and costs.