Hardware Podcasts

Frontier Forum: Unlocking next-generation VPPs

Catalyst · 6 May 2025 · 26m

What this episode covers

Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home and former Google/Nest energy product leader, explains how the company is building a next-generation virtual power plant (VPP) by leveraging tens of millions of connected smart thermostats and AI to provide continuous grid support. Brown contrasts this approach with traditional demand response, arguing that giving customers control over their HVAC systems yields higher opt-in rates (75%) and more reliable, scalable capacity than battery-only or utility-controlled models. He highlights the economic advantages of VPPs over natural gas peaker plants and utility-scale batteries, citing a 60% cost reduction for equivalent capacity, and outlines Renew Home's partnership with NRG to deploy one gigawatt of capacity in Texas.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Renew Home, Google, NRG, Latitude Media
Products
Nest, Rush Hour Rewards

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