Empowering Communities with Solar + Storage Systems
Sunrun, recognized for their innovative approach to renewable energy, has successfully linked over 16,200 customer-owned solar + storage systems, creating a sizable virtual power plant named CalReady. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to reinforcing California’s electricity infrastructure, especially during critical summer months when energy demands soar.
Key Contributions to California’s Energy Resilience
During periods of heightened energy requirements, CalReady surfaces as an integral solution, offering necessary energy support to local communities. By alleviating energy costs and minimizing potential power outages, the program establishes itself as a cornerstone for grid reliability.
Understanding Virtual Power Plants
At the heart of the initiative is the concept of a virtual power plant, which orchestrates a suite of decentralized solar + storage units. Managed by a sophisticated central control system, these collective resources work in tandem to supplement the grid efficiently and dynamically.
Sunrun’s Achievements and Expectations for the Upcoming Summer
Sunrun has already forged a path to success with its Peak Power Rewards program, which, during the summer of 2023, yielded up to 32 megawatts for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Participation from 8,500 customers was pivotal to this achievement. Looking ahead, Sunrun is poised to double the capacity and participant numbers this coming summer for its Demand Side Grid Support program.
California’s Strategic Reliability Reserve and Demand Side Grid Support
The Demand Side Grid Support program, orchestrated by the California Energy Commission, plays an essential role in the state’s Strategic Reliability Reserve. It aims to bolster energy supplies in the face of challenges like heat waves or wildfires. By gathering thousands of batteries through aggregators, the program is instrumental in fortifying grid stability and dodging rolling blackouts.
Customer Incentives and Battery Dispatch with Sunrun’s CalReady Program
Sunrun, as the largest stakeholder in the aforementioned program, assumes responsibility for the monitoring and deployment of customers’ batteries. Participants, by enlisting through Sunrun’s CalReady program, are remunerated for contributing their stored solar energy to the grid. Moreover, Sunrun handles all dispatching intricacies, ensuring a seamless experience for customers.
Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, reassures that customers will hardly notice as their stored energy is seamlessly integrated into bolstering the grid, while simultaneously receiving financial compensation.
Ensuring Energy Availability During Peak Demand
The CalReady program is specifically active between 4 to 9 pm daily, covering the months from May through October. This is the period when California’s energy demand typically peaks. Sunrun further guarantees that a minimum of a 20% backup reserve is maintained in customers’ batteries to provide for local power outages.
Chris Rauscher, at the helm of Sunrun’s grid services, likens the centrally managed CalReady virtual power plant to traditional fossil fuel power plants in terms of control and deployment. However, its decentralized nature strewn across the state translates to heightened resilience and adaptability.
During the five-month span of the program, the California Energy Commission may call upon Sunrun’s solar + storage systems up to 35 times, offering additional grid energy support. With enrollment still open, an uptick in program participation is anticipated.
Sunrun’s First-Quarter Results and Ongoing Enrollment
With the release of their latest financial results yesterday, Sunrun highlighted a striking increase in their storage attachment rates, which have escalated to 50% in installations – a significant leap from last year’s 15%. Furthermore, in the previous quarter alone, the installation of 207.2 megawatt-hours was disclosed.
Sunrun’s contributions to the advancement of solar and storage solutions are underscored by the more than 102,000 systems installed to date. Collectively, these systems account for over 1.5 gigawatt hours of energy storage capacity, marking their solid position as leaders in fostering sustainable energy infrastructures.
