Tesla announced an expansion of its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program in Colorado, partnering with utility provider Xcel Energy and resource management company Itron to enhance grid stability. The initiative, dubbed the Renewable Battery Connect program, integrates Tesla’s Powerwall home battery systems with Itron’s IntelliFLEX platform to manage distributed energy resources more efficiently. The partnership aims to increase the number of Powerwall units available during peak demand, with plans to add hundreds of new installations over the next year. This follows Tesla’s successful deployment of Powerwalls in other regions, contributing to grid reliability during high usage periods. The program leverages residential battery storage, solar energy, and electric vehicle chargers to balance energy loads, with Xcel Energy reporting a 15% reduction in peak load stress during a recent test involving 200 homes. Tesla’s Powerwall, capable of storing 13.5 kWh of energy, supports both individual households and the broader grid, with the company noting over 50,000 units deployed nationwide by mid-2025. The Colorado expansion builds on a previous phase that included 1,000 homes, demonstrating a scalable model for future growth. Itron’s technology allows real-time monitoring and optimization, with data showing a 10% increase in energy efficiency during trial runs. This move aligns with Tesla’s broader energy strategy, complementing its electric vehicle and storage solutions, and reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic energy infrastructure.
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