How a virtual power plant works
Sunrun CalReady, California: ~75,000 home batteries · 250 MW average, 375 MW peak per two-hour event
Thousands of homes with solar and a battery answer one signal together, so the grid can call on them like a power plant at the evening peak. Follow a summer day from rooftop charging to the event. Every number comes from one model.
Sources: Energy-Storage.news, “Sunrun quadruples California VPP from 2024 to 2025” (about 75,000 batteries, 13 kWh each; 250 MW average per two-hour event and 375 MW peak projected; events 4–9 pm, May–October; up to $150 per battery; 2024: 16,000+ homes, 48 MW average, 54 MW peak). The event time, reserve kept back, rooftop output, demand curve and the drawn neighborhood are illustrative. Others on this approach: Base Power, Renew Home, Voltus.