Clean energy
Puerto Rico's first community-led microgrid is ready to launch
The Adjuntas microgrid project is a high-profile example of how Puerto Ricans are devising solutions to the island's fragile and unreliable electricity system.
Grid edge
Grid edge
Smart thermostats are helping Arizona’s grid ride out brutal heat
Amid soaring temperatures, Arizona has seen success with utility programs that incentivize people to turn down the AC when the power grid is stressed.
The sun rises in Tempe, Arizona on July 12, 2023, which was the area's 12th consecutive day of temperatures over 110°F. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
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Batteries
Itochu quietly assembled a gigantic home battery network in Japan
The conglomerate controls a 36,000-unit virtual power plant. Up next? Unleashing it to help the national grid decarbonize.
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Grid edge
This startup turns electric water heaters into grid batteries
Shifted Energy is tapping water heaters in lower-income communities to create virtual power plants that help balance the grid, starting in Hawaii.
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Grid edge
Inside the software running Sunrun's home solar-battery fleets
Virtual power plants are only as good as the software that controls them. Here's how Lunar Energy is making the most of Sunrun's grid potential.
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Grid edge
PG&E is testing different flavors of virtual power plant
What's the best way for home batteries to help ease summer grid stress? This California utility is trying out two different models with Tesla and Sunrun.
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Grid edge
Want your home to help the grid? These startups are making it happen
Homes that respond to signals from the grid could play a pivotal role in the clean energy transition. But getting customers on board isn't easy.
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Grid edge
Texans can now sign up for virtual power plant to help grid, make money
Tesla, Octopus Energy and other power retailers are offering customers compensation to use their solar and batteries to make the grid more efficient and clean. -
Grid edge
Swell raises $120M for virtual power plants to link solar and batteries
Getting networks of homes with rooftop solar and batteries to help balance the grid requires innovative tech and financing. L.A.-based Swell Energy is on it.
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Batteries
Hawaii is paying home-battery owners to help the grid. How's that going?
Hawaii's main utility reached a deal with pro-solar groups to reward households for sharing their clean energy. We check in on the results at the six-month mark.
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Grid edge
Californians saved the grid again. They should be paid more for it
Smart thermostats, solar-charged batteries, EVs and other household devices can shore up the stressed grid. Why isn't the state going all in on incentives?
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