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VPP case studies
Real programs, real numbers. Snapshots of how virtual power plants have performed, plus the deep-dive device studies from our sister sites.
VPP Economics has no affiliation with, sponsorship from, or endorsement by any utility, aggregator, platform, or device maker named here.
VPPs in the field
A heat wave and a record VPP day
More than 140,000 home batteries delivered over 580 MW; Tesla’s fleet supplied 517 MW. Brattle estimates 700 MW of enrolled capacity has saved $206 million. DSGS triggers when prices exceed $200 per megawatt-hour (pv magazine USA).
The DOE’s model utility VPP
National Grid’s program reached 250 MW and about 100,000 customers, paying thermostats $25–$50 upfront plus $20 a season and batteries $275 per kW; EnergyHub runs the platform (DOE Liftoff).
Batteries as emergency supply
LUMA’s Customer Battery Energy Sharing program enrolled more than 7,000 participants and 28 MW, paid $1.25 per kWh through aggregators, and ran 53 events (DOE Liftoff).
When the money runs out fast
San Diego Community Power’s Solar Battery Savings program paid $350 per kWh of storage plus $0.10 per kWh discharged on peak — and used its $11.5 million budget in three months (DOE Liftoff).
Device deep dives from the Ownership Economics family
Home battery VPP earnings: 17 programs compared
$1,800–$11,200 over 10 years for the same 13.5 kWh battery.
Read →Battery EconomicsHome battery under a time-of-use rate: 12 utilities
What a battery saves on the bill before any VPP payment.
Read →Battery EconomicsHosted batteries: Base Power & Energywell
A free battery in exchange for your electricity contract.
Read →Heatpump EconomicsHeat pump virtual power plant programs
14 thermostat programs; $210–$955 over 10 years.
Read →Heatpump EconomicsHeat pump water heaters as VPP assets
8 programs; $130–$1,300 over 10 years.
Read →In development
Full VPP Economics case studies on whole-home stacking — a battery, EV, thermostat, and water heater in the same house, in specific geographies — are being built from the program registry behind Find a Program.