California’s power needs are being met through various methods like power plants, solar farms, windmills, and now Voltus, a virtual power plant that pays energy users to reduce or shift their power consumption. According to Neil Lakin, the Chief Technology Officer for Voltus, they are selling power in energy markets by reducing megawatts in a reliable way. This is achieved by providing real-time insights to customers, enabling them to become more energy-efficient by adjusting their consumption patterns. Stacy Lane, an Account Manager for Voltus, explains that by participating in demand response events, customers can save the grid, earn money, and lower their carbon footprint.
One example of this technology in action is with the Westside Water Authority near Bakersfield, which uses Voltus technology to reduce their power consumption during peak hours and subsequently produce power for the grid. This has resulted in the authority being paid thousands of dollars for the power they saved. Daniel Martin, the Director of Automation for Westside Water Authority, highlights the significant impact they can make on the grid due to their large consumption.
In the future, as demand for power continues to grow faster than the deployment of new power plants, strategies like those offered by Voltus will be essential in stabilizing the power grid in California. By providing financial incentives for customers to adjust their power consumption, companies like Voltus can play a key role in creating a more resilient and sustainable power system.
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