How can you resist being part of the world’s largest distributed battery and helping California keep its energy clean and reliable? This convincing language is part of Tesla’s recent invitation to launch a new virtual power plant in partnership with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
The virtual power plant will allow Powerwall owners to join the program to stabilize the power grid in California and end power outages. PG&E’s offer to participate in the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), according to Tesla, will allow participants to support the network while earning compensation and maintaining energy security.
Powerwall owners who decide to join the program will receive $ 2 per kilowatt-hour sent back to the network.
Tesla said it has about 50,000 Powerwalls that could be suitable for this virtual power plant (VPP) program, which adds a significant amount of power that can be distributed in the PG&E network when needed.
Iterations of the previous Virtual Power Plant
Of Steve Hanley in 2020 CleanTechnica In the UK, Tesla has released a review of its virtual power plant program. In general, a homeowner had to meet a number of existing criteria, including owning a Tesla electric car and a home charger. Then the roof of the house had to be added solar system and Tesla Powerwall. The program produced, stored and returned solar energy to homes during peak hours. Electricity imports and exports were determined by software and were automated based on energy use patterns, solar power generation forecasts, and wholesale energy prices.
Last year, Tesla launched a test virtual power plant in California, where Powerwall owners volunteered without compensation. The purpose was to allow the Powerwall owners of the virtual power plant to draw power from the battery packs when the network was needed.
In 2022, David Waterworth conducted a study on the use of virtual power plants in Australia, which shows that the market is not fully ready for them. It seemed to the participants that the savings would be less than they would get by storing excess solar energy in home batteries and using it themselves overnight.
Information about PG&E Program
Stabilize the California network: The extra capacity provided by the participant’s Powerwall can help prevent or reduce power outages in serious emergencies. Thus, the Powerwall can keep the lights open for both participants and their community.
Clear the network: When the network is in critical need of additional power, Tesla will send a participant’s Powerwall. The least efficient generators are usually available online.
Protect energy security: The Powerwall will be discharged during VPP events, but will not be discharged below the Backup Reserve.
Events: The California network operator CAISO will contact Tesla and PG&E virtual power plant when it issues a warning, warning or emergency in response to difficult network conditions. Tesla and PG&E may call events at other times to respond to the program’s minimum 20-hour events. These additional events may include responses to CAISO Flex Alarms.
Before the event: When an event is scheduled, the participant will receive a push notification informing them of the time of the event. Participants can expect the Powerwall system to prioritize energy storage and prepare for the event once the event is scheduled. The event can be scheduled a day in advance, but situations may require less warning.
During the event: At the start of the event, the participant will receive a push notification reminding them of the end time of the event, and the Powerwall will begin to empty to support the network. The powerwall will be emptied until the event is over or when the selected Backup is drained to the Backup level. Powerwall will export a safe amount of energy, which is similar to the export of solar energy on the spot. This may not be the full power capacity of the Powerwall.
After the event: After the event, the Powerwall will resume normal operation.
Control Participation: The Powerwall provides the participant with 3 options to monitor their participation in VPP events: Set up a backup, cancel an event, and continue to operate normally.
Stop participating: Participants can go to the Settings menu of the Tesla application to turn off participation. If this interruption occurs, the Powerwall system will not react to the planned events and the participant will not be informed about the events. The participant is still registered in the program and can resume participation at any time by reactivating the participation.
Compensation: Compensation depends on the power capacity of the owner’s system involved, the number of Powerwalls, and their Backup. Owners who reduce their reserves earn more.
Payment: At the end of the season, which is usually towards the end of the year, PG&E will calculate the owner’s contribution and incentive payment from Powerwall data. Payment is made by Tesla and is expected to reach the end of March 2023.
What information do I need to register successfully? Account number, meter number, PG&E service information and meter number location are required to register.
Will participation in this program affect the owner’s electricity bill? Tesla expects most of this summer’s events to take place at typical peak hours for many In-Time tariff plans. Participation in the event will shift energy exports to later periods of the day than typical exports.
ELRP duration: ELRP begins after the participant accepts the terms and will continue until at least December 31, 2023, unless explicitly extended or terminated by PG&E.
ELRP Client Events: Events will be launched between May 1 and October 31 on the basis of Flex Alerts or CAISO Energy Emergency Alerts the day before or the current day. The hours of the event can be between 16:00 and 21:00.
Participant Device Information and Other Information: Participation in ELRP covers PG&E and Tesla’s access to certain participant’s personally identifiable information and energy usage data. This information set may include their name, address, power usage, utility account number, device information, information obtained from the ELRP, and other personal information collectively referred to as Confidential Information.
Termination: PG&E reserves the right to terminate the registration of a participant in the ELRP at any time by giving a written notice to the participant without any reason.
General: All agreement is available between PG&E, Tesla and ELRP regarding compliance and participation requirements.
Tesla Arbitration Requirements: In private arbitration, a single arbitrator will resolve any dispute arising out of the beta program.
Next round @Tesla With Virtual Power Station @ PGE4Me starts today. Now earn $ 2 per kWh sent from network to network #Powerwall during events such as @California_ISO warnings. #enerjitwitter https://t.co/5xclCRZqIV pic.twitter.com/17K65ex34W
– Alex Guichet (@AlexGuichet) June 23, 2022
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