The California Energy Commission is considering a $3.36 million grant to DER Security Corp. for Project SYMPHONY, a cyber-resilient virtual power plant demonstration in San Leandro. The proposal is included in the CEC’s Oct. 19, 2026, business-meeting backup materials under Agreement EPC-26-009.
The project would evaluate whether a virtual power plant can improve reliability, affordability and resilience at the distribution edge, with a focus on disadvantaged communities and low- to moderate-income residents, according to the CEC materials. The proposed demonstration would coordinate residential and commercial/industrial inverter-based distributed energy resources.
DER Security’s DERSync platform would connect QCells residential assets and Prologis commercial and industrial sites and integrate with PG&E systems. The scope calls for testing cybersecurity features and automated coordination using the IEEE 2030.5 standard, with a target response time of less than two seconds. The project also would evaluate grid services including voltage support and capacity management within PG&E operating limits.
The proposal calls for a community-led validation process in San Leandro, including a Community Advisory Group to identify local grid challenges, benefit priorities and deployment constraints. The materials also describe workforce-development funding for local clean-energy internships.
The packet contains a proposed resolution and leaves the AYE, NAY, ABSENT and ABSTAIN vote fields blank. The grant therefore should be treated as a proposal pending certified CEC minutes or an executed agreement confirming the commission’s action.
