#USA #PG&E #Oakland #Virtual Power Plant #SHARE

PG&E and Google Collaborate on SHARE: A New Virtual Power Plant Initiative

In an effort to innovate energy efficiency and affordability, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has unveiled SHARE (Smart Home Assets for Reliability and Efficiency), a groundbreaking Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This collaborative project, partnered with Rewiring America, Google, and various other technology firms, aims to transform how energy customers manage their electricity use and costs across the Bay Area communities.

The Purpose Behind SHARE

Electric demand is steadily increasing across the United States due to growing reliance on electricity in businesses, homes, and electric vehicles. The SHARE initiative seeks to address this surge by leveraging existing home energy resources like batteries and smart devices, which would function collectively as a VPP to help cut costs and improve energy reliability.

"This initiative is all about delivering power according to the pace our economy demands while improving affordability for our customers," stated Chelle Izzi, Chief Commercial Officer at PG&E. With the intent to enroll over 20,000 existing energy devices already installed in homes, SHARE offers participants opportunities to engage in smarter energy management through advanced technology.

How SHARE Works

The SHARE model operates by forming a coordinated network of home batteries, smart devices, and battery-enabled heat pumps. This network can effectively reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods, assisting in maintaining the grid's reliability while minimizing costs. The objective is to both relieve some of the burden on the local electric grid and provide customers with monetary savings through efficient energy usage.

Approximately 21,000 energy devices are expected to be enlisted into this project, which will allow households to manage their electricity expenses better, earn rewards, and contribute to demand response efforts. This not only makes effective use of current electrical infrastructure but also disseminates the benefits to all customers in the region.

Partnering for Progress

In conjunction with major companies such as Tesla and Carrier Global Corporation, SHARE represents a confluence of expertise and resources. Carrier will supply its innovative battery-enabled heat pumps that can save customers on energy costs while ensuring home comfort and supporting grid reliability.

Hakan Yilmaz, President of Carrier Energy, emphasized the importance of distributing capacity in an increasingly demanding market, stating that the technology can contribute significantly to a reliable grid resource. Meanwhile, Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, noted the initiative's potential to improve reliability and affordability for California residents, asserting, "Home energy devices hold enormous, untapped capacity that can meaningfully improve affordability and reliability for all Californians."

Commitment to Customers

Notably, SHARE is not just about technological advancements; it ensures that existing customers reap the benefits from this initiative. Funded by Google, the program intends to support customer incentives, technology initiatives, and operational delivery while aiming to enhance the local grid's capability. Google’s head of energy and power, Amanda Peterson Corio, reflected on this, noting how optimal use of the grid can unlock the potential of local energy resources.

Looking Ahead

Starting in Fall 2026, PG&E and Rewiring America plan to reach out to eligible customers to inform them about the initiative and invite them to participate. SHARE is set to run through 2027, and initial results from the program are expected to be published in late 2026 or early 2027. Over time, the concept may expand beyond residential spaces, potentially affecting commercial and industrial users as well.

As SHARE takes shape, it stands as a progressive model for how utilities, technology partners, and customers can collaboratively work towards more reliable, affordable, and efficient access to electricity. By investing in home technologies, SHARE is poised not only to benefit individual households but also to influence future approaches to electric demand and grid management throughout California and possibly beyond.