Virtual Peaker announced the launch of WatterSaver, a pilot program with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) that incentivizes customers on a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate to heat water when electricity prices are lower.
The goal of the behind-the-meter thermal storage program is to provide up to 2.5 MW of peak-load reduction by the end of 2025.
PG&E customers enrolled in a Time-of-Use rate plan who sign up for WatterSaver first connect their water heaters to the the Virtual Peaker platform. The platform then takes advantage of lower electricity rates, heating water at less expensive times of the day.
Participants receive a $50 gift card for enrolling plus an additional $5 gift card for each month of participation.
The WatterSaver pilot could be the largest program of its kind in the U.S. said Virtual Peaker in a press release. The goal is to connect to and optimize residential water heaters for 5,000–9,000 customers.
By shifting energy use to off-peak times, customers are helping with grid reliability and supporting increased renewable energy generation like solar and wind power.
Administered through PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, WatterSaver is implemented by the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), Virtual Peaker and Energy Solutions. Eligible equipment includes smart heat pump water heaters, water heaters that are compatible with a CTA-2045 EcoPort module from e-Radio, or electric resistance waters heaters that are retrofitted with the Armada Power control module.
“This innovative partnership will add intelligence to otherwise dormant appliances. WatterSaver creates grid-connected assets that store thermal energy and shift the load away from peak usage times so our TOU customers have hot water whenever they need it without having to pay peak energy prices,” said PG&E’s Vice President of Business Development and Customer Engagement, Aaron August. The pilot launched on March 15, and will run until Dec. 31, 2025.
