Utility Conducts 'Massive Experiment' Using 100,000 Batteries: 'They Were Working Together as One Giant, Invisible Power Plant'

Utility conducts 'massive experiment' using 100,000 batteries: 'They were working together as one giant, invisible power plant'

In the largest test of its kind ever performed in California and potentially the world, energy from 100,000 home batteries across the state was used to supplement the power grid during a time of peak energy use, according to PG&E, a Northern California utility company.  "At exactly 7:00pm, a massive experiment began," PG&E said on its website. "Across the state, thousands of Tesla Powerwalls and Sunrun home batteries kicked into action." "These …

California Tests Largest Virtual Power Plant with 100K Home Batteries

In a groundbreaking demonstration of distributed energy’s potential, California’s power grid recently harnessed the collective might of over 100,000 residential batteries to form what experts are calling the largest virtual power plant (VPP) test to date. During a critical evening peak from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., when demand surges as residents return home, utilities like Pacific Gas & Electric coordinated the discharge of stored energy from these ho…

California Successfully Tests 'Virtual Power Plant', Drawing Power From Batteries in 100,000 Homes

"California's biggest electric utilities pulled off a record-breaking test..." reports Semafor, "during the 7pm-9pm window that is typically its time of peak demand as people come home from work." Pacific Gas & Electric and other top California power companies switched on residential batteries...