The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is turning thousands of everyday household devices into "virtual power plants" to support the grid.
Through the new initiative called SHARE (Smart Home Assets for Reliability and Efficiency), the utility aims to cut peak-time grid strain in Bay Area communities while helping households reduce energy costs and make better use of home technology they already have.
Here's what to know
To launch SHARE, the utility is working with Rewiring America, Google, Carrier, Tesla, Sunrun, Renew Home, Demand Side Analytics, and encoord, as well as other partners.
Under SHARE, PG&E plans to sign up nearly 21,000 already installed flexible energy devices and meet new electrification technologies to help meet growing electricity demand, as Solar Power World reported.
PG&E and Rewiring America expect to start reaching out to eligible customers in fall 2026, which is when the enrolled devices are also expected to begin supporting the grid, per Solar Power World. The program is scheduled to run through 2027.
More background
A virtual power plant links many smaller devices, such as home batteries, smart thermostats, and heat pumps, so they can act as one larger energy resource and support the grid when it's feeling some strain.
Instead of relying only on new large-scale infrastructure, utilities can reduce this grid strain by shifting when electricity is used or by drawing on stored energy during the busiest hours.
As households add more electric appliances, such as air conditioning and electric vehicles, programs like this become more important. PG&E said participants could get more ways to manage energy expenses and even earn rewards from the smart features they already use.
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PG&E said SHARE is intended to let existing customers benefit as the need for grid capacity grows. That could mean a stronger grid and more say over monthly power bills.
As SHARE indicates, adding battery storage is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and even move closer to going off-grid. If you're curious about your options, it may be worth exploring EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
EnergySage has teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions. For a more affordable backup option, Pila also offers excellent battery backup choices, and its plug-and-play batteries are priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost.
Where can I learn more?
SHARE is part of a broader push to turn household technology into flexible grid support, with utilities and energy companies using thermostats, water heaters, batteries, and EV chargers to manage demand.
• In Puerto Rico, Sonnen is building a residential battery network that strengthens local power resilience.
• Easee's EV chargers are becoming home energy tools for grid stability as electrification expands.
• Sonnen is showing how homes can act like one battery to support renewable energy.
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