A human skill-set is loaded with value in every conceivable manner, and yet if we sit down and assess it on a granular level; we’ll notice how our solution-oriented tendency is really the most value element in our arsenal. This is because when you are able to find a way through every possible situation, you eventually steer yourself towards some notable milestones along the way. The same is proven by a certain idea called technology. In fact, technology is a slight anomaly around such discussions, considering it wasn’t just a by-product of our progressive mindset, but it would also go on to make the stated facet significantly better over time. Now, with that being our ultimate reality, it was only right for us to keep pursuing higher altitudes, and we did so at a pretty impressive rate, therefore opening up several new horizons. Nevertheless, even after achieving so much, the revolution is still alive and kicking, and a recent partnership should do a lot in taking it a step further.
Tesla and California Utility PG&E have come together to officially launch a new program, which will incentivize eligible Tesla Powerwall owners in terms of sending extra electricity to the grid whenever there is a power shortage. According to certain reports, the owners can expect $2 for every additional kilowatt-hour they give to the grid during designated “events” Talk about these designated events; they can include all the instances when the California grid operator, CAISO, issues an energy alert, warning or emergency. Assuming Tesla’s estimations are rooted in reality, whoever signs up for the new program will “help form the largest distributed battery in the world — potentially over 50,000 Powerwalls,” Looking at the sheer scale of it, the initiative can very well replace gas-powered power plants that are usually called upon to help electricity supply meet the demand. Tesla, along with PG&E and a few other utilities, started testing the program last year in July, but at the time, it did not offer any payouts.
In case you want to sign up for the program, you can head to Tesla’s official application. Once you have enrolled yourself in the program, Emergency Load Reduction Program, you’ll start receiving notifications every time the grid needs emergency support. Notably enough, the participating owners can still specify a backup reserve level. Tesla will stop discharging the battery as soon as it hits the stated limit. Coming to the compensation bit, after earning $2 for each additional kWh sent to the grid, participants will likely receive payments from Tesla “on an annual basis, or on a more frequent basis as determined by Tesla.”
Beyond California, Tesla has been trying to make a similar operation happen in Texas as well, but due to regulations, it can, for now, only offer a $40 Tesla gift card “as a token of appreciation” to the residents there rather than a proper payout.