#United States #Oakland #Virtual Power Plant #Pacific Gas Electric #SAVE Program

Pacific Gas and Electric Introduces SAVE Program

On March 24, 2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) rolled out a groundbreaking initiative known as the Seasonal Aggregation of Versatile Energy (SAVE) program. This innovative Electric Program aims to utilize residential battery systems and smart electrical panels to bolster local grid reliability during periods of peak demand.

An Overview of the SAVE Program

The SAVE program, a first-of-its-kind virtual power plant (VPP), is specifically designed to address local grid constraints by dispatching energy from residential sources. It will involve collaboration with various aggregators and utilize a wealth of data to ensure effective management of energy resources.

PG&E anticipates the involvement of up to 1,500 residential customers who will have battery energy storage systems, along with up to 400 households equipped with smart electric panels. The program aims to be operational for approximately 100 hours between June and October 2025. By offering localized grid support, it will effectively distribute battery power and enhance load flexibility precisely when the grid experiences high demand, especially as substations and feeder lines approach capacity limits.

The Role of Technology

A significant component of the SAVE initiative involves providing participating aggregators with predictive algorithms that relay hourly grid capacity requirements. This information enables them to adjust the energy consumption of customers accordingly. Technologies from companies like Tesla and SPAN will play a pivotal role in aligning energy use patterns with grid needs.

The areas identified for deploying the SAVE program encompass a diverse range of neighborhoods, primarily concentrated in the South Bay Area and Central Valley. Factors determining these locations include the potential for grid overloads during hot summer days and the concentration of participating customers from relevant aggregators. Moreover, the program intentionally targets equity by ensuring that over 60% of the participating customers are from disadvantaged communities.

Collaborations and Benefits

Among the notable participants is Sunrun, a company specializing in solar-plus-storage solutions. Sunrun plans to manage the battery dispatches effectively, ensuring that these households always retain a backup power supply of at least 20% in case of an outage. Sunrun’s CEO Mary Powell emphasized that homes equipped with battery systems serve as crucial assets to alleviate stress on the electric grid.

Moreover, Sunrun will leverage advanced applications of Tesla’s grid services platform to enhance the functionality of Powerwall batteries, providing precise energy amounts at specific times. Additionally, AI-driven forecasting tools from Lunar Energy will help tailor battery deployment based on local grid demands.

SPAN will also play a vital role in the SAVE program by managing customers with smart electrical panels. These panels will utilize SPAN’s Dynamic Service Rating™ to streamline residential energy consumption during peak hours, ensuring that energy demand remains manageable within PG&E’s distribution infrastructure.

Looking Forward

PG&E's SAVE program is part of its broader Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) framework, allowing California’s utility companies to innovate and pilot new technologies. With funding from the EPIC initiatives, PG&E seeks not only to improve reliability and affordability but also to advance California’s clean energy objectives.

According to PG&E Corporation’s CEO Patti Poppe, this initiative supports the state’s goal of a clean energy future, allowing customers to lead by example through adopting renewable technologies. The focus on safety, reliability, and community resilience positions the SAVE program as a significant step forward in modernizing California's energy landscape.

For more details about PG&E and its projects, interested parties can visit www.pge.com/epic.