Zero Point Energy and Dark Energy

I need to do some more analysis, but vacuum or zero point energy (ZPE) is a property of empty space, while dark energy is a repulsive force in the universe which seems to be causing the universe's expansion rate to increase. I saw somewhere that mentioned that within a proton, there are less energy fluctuations between the quarks than there is in empty space. Could ZPE be the source of dark energy? When there's more matter, there's less energy in space itself as the matter clears out those fluctuations. The more matter, the less fluctuations. I would envision this ZPE to act like a pressure, where empty space would push out against itself and more so against areas that have matter, causing the latter to clump together.

I really should look at the maths again when I have the time.