You might believe Texas, where the governor and his henchmen all think renewable energy is the spawn of the Devil, would be the last place in America that would see virtual power plant technology used to property owners. But in fact, ERCOT, the utility operator in Texas, is mandated by law to develop the grid as inexpensively as possible. That, in turn, leaves it broad open to system failures like the enormous blackouts that struck the state after a powerful winter season storm in 2021.
The governor blamed renewables, however in truth it was the failure of ERCOT to prepare for such a weather condition occasion that prevented the wind turbines the are such a regular sight in Texas from having the ability to stand up to freezing temperatures. Such steps cost money, and so obviously they were not consisted of when those wind farms were constructed. Being cheap often suggests investing more cash in the long run, as Texans found when the cost of electricity soared from 12 cents a kWh to $3.00 a kWh or more.
Upgraded Griddy costs! 1300 sq ft. Heat set at 60, no laundry, no running dishwasher, no stove/oven cooking, only utilized air fryer, lights off during the day candle lights at night most of the time, Television on some. Some how they state I utilized 1772 khw. $5,000 @wfaa @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/r1eidadyur
— kat and tony (@katandtonyT) February 20, 2021
The result of this insanity in the pursuit of frugality is that Texas authorities have actually created a scenario where it is far more economical to set up a planetary system with battery backup than it is to just keep depending on Greg Abbott and his buddies to supply dependable, economical electrical energy for the people of Texas.
The Virtual Power Plant Plan
This previous week, Octopus Energy and Enphase announced a new collaboration that enables domestic customers the chance to integrate Enphase house solar and battery services into their energy strategy to open low expense domestic energy rates. As part of the arrangement, Octopus Energy will have the ability to flexibly manage the consumer’s battery to decrease usage when the grid is the most constrained and help save customers numerous dollars each year, according to a press release. “Our collaboration is just beginning. We eagerly anticipate broadening to brand-new markets with world-class services and products to advance a more sustainable future together,” Octopus Energy stated.
The exclusive software platform from Octopus Energy manages, controls, and optimizes dispersed energy resources. It plans to create a virtual power plant with the Enphase house battery systems and will be bidding these DERs in the Electric Dependability Council of Texas (ERCOT) ancillary markets– a first of its kind for these possessions.
Octopus Energy can optimize how a consumer’s battery communicates with the electric grid through Smart Octopus, its smart device retail energy strategy, that lets clients gain access to the least expensive retail rates. And obviously, throughout times of a grid blackout, the most affordable electrical energy by far is that being produced by a home’s roof planetary system.
As Octopus Energy expands its retail energy presence to states outside of Texas, it hopes the new collaboration will minimize costs for consumers and promote a cleaner grid. “Our partnership with Enphase Energy is a critically important step as we speed up the renewable energy shift throughout the U.S. Load flexibility develops enormous worth in high-renewable energy grids and energy retailers have an unique ability to personalize electrical rates for clients, so this a perfect opportunity to incorporate the value of demand action into a retail item to create the cheapest rates for consumers.”
” Retailers have the chance to lead the energy transition by combining customer-centric product offerings, modern-day innovation, and rate-making authority to produce products that lower costs and really lower carbon,” said Michael Lee, CEO of Octopus Energy United States. “We look forward to dealing with Enphase Energy as we grow a wide range of low expense and innovative rates to decarbonize our electric grid.”
” We are delighted to partner with Octopus Energy to bring house solar and batteries to homeowners in Texas, helping them better handle their electrical energy costs and producing a more durable energy system for everybody,” stated Dave Ranhoff, chief business officer at Enphase Energy. “Our collaboration is simply starting. We anticipate expanding to brand-new markets with world-class product or services to advance a more sustainable future together.”
Octopus Energy and Enphase’s partnership comes as policymakers around the world seek to take advantage of emerging technologies to quicken the shift to renewables, in addition to get rid of barriers to clean energy growth. Together with Enphase, Octopus Energy will make it possible for consumers to enhance their virtual power plant house energy system around simple involvement in ancillary markets and need response programs for instant cost savings.
This is the current action in Octopus Energy’s mission to make it possible for a smarter, greener future around the world. Among the most awarded energy business in the United Kingdom, where the business was founded 5 years back, Octopus Energy went into the United States market in 2020. In 2022, it introduced Octopus Electric Cars, its incorporated demand response EV renting plan that accelerates availability and adoption of EVs and smart charging, as well as Smart Octopus, a smart demand response plan which lowers electrical rates by up to 30 percent just by permitting Octopus to automate clever charging for the client.
The EV Concierge Program
Last summer, Chris George, the head of Octopus Electric Cars in America, informed CleanTechnica, “When visiting our website, users will be greeted with our EV Concierge program, sample EV options, and an invitation to fill out our type to see if they certify to take part in the beta program. If a client qualifies, our EV Concierge will provide certifying clients white glove service, helping soon-to-be EV drivers through the whole search and vehicle leasing procedure, consisting of selection and shipment of a brand-new or used EV of their option, setup of an EV house charger, and education on best practices for EV ownership. New customers will get a brand brand-new EV rate.
” With the high demand for EVs and low supply of used and brand-new EVs, it’s an essential time for us to go into the EV space to help chauffeurs transition into EV ownership as we push toward electrification. Plus, with our white glove service, inclusive of EV education, we can help make the switch simpler than ever by strolling clients through the whole process– increasing confidence in EV ownership and removing ‘fear of the unidentified.'”
In a current article, we informed our readers about a new report being circulated in the rarified air at Davos today that identifies 3 so-called “extremely tipping points” that might assist move the world far from the cliff of environment catastrophe. Octopus and Enphase are helping to make that happen.
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