The national guide to virtual power plants
Thousands of homes, working together as one power plant.
Virtual power plants link home batteries, smart thermostats and EVs so they can help the grid when it's under strain. Here's how they work, what they pay, and which programs you can join in your state.
The idea in 30 seconds
What is a virtual power plant?
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a group of many small energy devices, like home batteries, smart thermostats and EV chargers, that software coordinates so they act together like one power plant.
When demand peaks, a utility or grid operator sends a signal. Each home's device sends stored power to the grid or uses a little less, and together they can add up to as much as a conventional power plant. The people taking part, or the company that owns the equipment, get paid for it.
By the numbers
VPPs are already big, and growing
of virtual power plant capacity across North America, in DOE's 2025 update.
Source: U.S. DOE, 2025DOE's 2030 goal for US VPPs, enough for 10 to 20% of peak demand.
Source: U.S. DOE, 2023the cost of a gas peaker or grid battery for the same reliability, Brattle found.
Source: Brattle Group, 2023sent by California home batteries on Sept. 9, 2026, the largest VPP dispatch on record.
Source: Energy-Storage.newsFive ways to take part
Which kind of VPP fits you?
01
Own a battery, get paid by your utility
You buy the battery. Your utility or state program pays you when it helps the grid.
How it works02
A company-owned battery at your home
Little or nothing upfront. The company owns and runs the system and keeps most of the grid earnings.
How it works03
A battery bundled with your electricity plan
Pick a retail electricity provider whose plan includes a home battery. Mostly in Texas.
How it works04
Smart thermostat rewards
The easiest start: let your thermostat ease off at peak times in exchange for small rewards.
How it works05
Your electric vehicle as a battery
Early pilots pay EV owners to send power back to the grid at peak times.
How it worksFeatured states
Texas, Illinois and California
ERCOT
Texas
8 programs tracked, plus the SOLRITE program through our partner, VirtuGrid.
See TexasPJM / MISO
Illinois
4 programs tracked, plus the SOLRITE program through our partner, VirtuGrid.
See IllinoisCAISO
California
7 programs tracked, plus the SOLRITE program through our partner, VirtuGrid.
See CaliforniaLatest milestones
What's happening now
- 2026
United States (California)
Record 580 MW home-battery dispatch
California home batteries in a Tesla-Sunrun VPP sent more than 580 MW to the grid during a heat wave. Energy-Storage.news called it the largest VPP dispatch event on record, with about 110,000 Powerwalls plus over 30,000 other batteries taking part.
- 2026
United States (Texas)
ERCOT raises the ADER limit to 500 MW
ERCOT raised the pilot's registered capacity limit to 500 MW. As of August 17, 2026, 249 MW had qualified.
- 2025
United States (Texas)
ERCOT raises the ADER limit to 200 MW
ERCOT raised the pilot's energy limit to 200 MW, with 100 MW each for two reserve services.
- 2025
United States (California)
100,000-battery VPP test delivers 535 MW
Sunrun and Tesla dispatched more than 100,000 home batteries through California's DSGS program, averaging 535 MW from 7 to 9 pm. A Brattle Group analysis found steady output with no performance drop-off during the event.
Questions welcome, no obligation
Ask about your home
Tell us where you live and what you're curious about. We'll point you to the programs that fit, and connect you with a program partner only if you choose one below.
- We answer questions about any program on this site.
- In Texas, Illinois and California, our partner VirtuGrid can check whether your home fits the SOLRITE home battery program.
- You'll always see who will contact you before you send.