Joined by giants such as Alphabet Inc. Class C and Tesla, Inc., The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG.US) has launched a pilot for a virtual power plant in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PCG.US) has launched a pilot program for a virtual power plant aimed at utilizing over 20,000 smart home devices in the greater Bay Area. The company is collaborating with tech and energy giants, including Alphabet Inc. Class C (GOOGL.US), Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US), and Sunrun (RUN.US), to enhance grid reliability and lower customer costs. The model is designed to create additional capacity, ensure reliability, and help exert downward pressure on electricity prices; at the same time, participating households can achieve smarter energy management through next-generation home technology, resulting in cost savings. The companies stated that "SHARE" is a pioneering concept validation project for a virtual power plant (VPP), combining access to home energy devices with regional deployment of new electrification technologies funded by private capital to meet the growing demand for electricity. Sunrun CEO Mary Powell stated, "Home energy devices harbor tremendous untapped capacity that can significantly enhance the energy affordability and grid reliability for all Californians. This program unlocks that potential while giving customers the opportunity to share in the economic benefits derived from improving the local grid." Pacific Gas and Electric (PCG.US) will lead the planning, analysis, and validation efforts to evaluate customer impact, system performance, and long-term benefits. Carrier is the launch partner for the programs new deployment projects, responsible for providing its energy storage-capable heat pump solutions including the Carrier Performance series inverter heat pumps equipped with EnerSync. This solution can automatically store and shift energy usage during peak demand periods to help customers reduce costs, maintain comfort, and support reliable grid operation.