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Sunrun and PG&E Collaborate on Residential Battery-Powered Virtual Power Plant to Support Grid Reliability for Electric Customers
First-of-its-kind program will offer financial incentives for up to 7,500 customers in exchange for turning their residential batteries into a collective
About this update from Sunrun Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"First-of-its-kind program will offer financial incentives for up to 7,500 customers in exchange for turning their residential batteries into a collective energy resource during periods of peak demand\nSAN FRANCISCO and OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a year of record-high summer temperatures in California, Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today launched an innovative energy reliability program to provide meaningful and flexible support from residential solar and battery systems during the state’s hottest months, when demand for energy is highest and energy supplies are tighter. Through the Energy Efficiency Summer Reliability Program, Sunrun will enroll up to 7,500 new and existing residential home solar and battery systems in PG&E’s service area into the program, creating a virtual power plant capable of discharging 30 megawatts of clean energy back to the grid. PG&E and Sunrun partnered to create an optimal battery dispatch schedule that lowers the overall cost of power during the times of highest need as well as reduces critical strain on the entire energy system and reliance on fossil fuel burning power plants. A virtual power plant works by storing renewable energy produced by rooftop solar panels during the day across a large number of homes, then sharing that energy back to the grid during peak times, such as at night when the sun has set or when energy supply is tight during hot summer months. Enrolled battery systems will be directed to discharge every day from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the months of August through October, a critical window when energy needs are highest in California. In exchange, customers will receive an upfront payment of $750 and a free smart thermostat for participating. Batteries enrolled in the program will retain enough energy to meet personal, essential needs in the event of a local power outage in their area. All Sunrun solar and battery customers in single-family homes who have an interconnection agreement with PG&E, and are not enrolled in other demand response programs, are eligible to participate. This program will also provide Sunrun incremental revenue for managing and delivering virtual power plant services to the grid for one year, and an opportunity for Sunrun and PG&E to extend and expand the program in future years. “There’...