# Frontier Forum: Unlocking next-generation VPPs

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2025-05-06
- Length: 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=0) Introduction: Ben Brown and the Evolution of Demand Response
- [4:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=244) The Shift from Peak Events to Continuous Grid Support
- [6:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=390) How Personalized AI and Customer Control Drive Engagement
- [10:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=621) Why Customer Control is Critical for Long-Term VPP Reliability
- [13:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=810) HVAC as a Core VPP Resource vs. Batteries and EVs
- [15:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=940) Cost and Speed Advantages of VPPs Over Gas Peakers
- [17:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=1043) Scaling to One Gigawatt in Texas with NRG
- [22:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-05-06-frontier-forum-unlocking-next-generation-vpps#t=1323) Future Trends: AI, Empowerment, and Utility-Customer Relationships

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Renew Home (company)
- Google (company)
- Nest (product)
- NRG (company)
- Rush Hour Rewards (product)
- Latitude Media (company)

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- [Decarbonizing Water Heating with Intelligent Water Heaters: Insights from Michael Rigney of Cala Systems](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-10-10-decarbonizing-water-heating-with-intelligent-water-heaters-insights-from-michael) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
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## Citing this page

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