en.Wedoany.com Reported - FranklinWH's residential energy storage system has been officially selected for two virtual power plant (VPP) demand response projects in Texas, in partnership with Austin Energy and Entergy Texas.
Under the agreements, FranklinWH will participate in Austin Energy's "Power Partner Battery Pilot Program" and Entergy Texas's "Battery Storage Solutions Program." These projects aim to enhance grid reliability in Texas, with homeowners receiving upfront incentives and saving on electricity bills by supporting grid demand during peak hours. Gary Lam, CEO and co-founder of FranklinWH, stated that each new utility partnership reflects growing industry confidence in home batteries as a reliable grid resource. The company is currently involved in 25 VPP projects across the U.S., helping utilities scale distributed energy resources.
Texas is currently one of the fastest-growing residential energy storage markets in the U.S. The state ranks second in the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) "State Solar Rankings," with approximately 60% of new residential solar installations paired with battery storage.
Under the terms of Austin Energy's "Power Partner Battery Program," participating homeowners receive a $500 upfront incentive and an average annual payment of approximately $300. Participants are compensated $75 per kilowatt of output. The pilot program is limited to 1,500 participants, aiming to support Austin Energy in achieving 78 megawatts of demand capacity by 2027 and 270 megawatts by 2035. Richard Génecé, Vice President of Customer Energy Solutions at Austin Energy, noted that battery systems are a key component of the "Resource and Generation Plan." This battery demand response pilot is driving the company toward a more mature VPP model, where battery systems provide predictable capacity and create opportunities for future grid enhancements.
Entergy Texas's "Battery Storage Solutions Program" offers participating users up to $325 in annual benefits. The utility sends signals to the battery systems in customers' homes, allowing participation without requiring homeowners to be present or intervene manually. According to Entergy's website, the program is also applicable to Tesla batteries. Kelly O'Donnell, Product and Services Manager at Entergy Texas, stated that such smart battery programs help customers use energy more efficiently while strengthening the grid's overall service capability. The partnership with FranklinWH provides homeowners with a simple way to support grid reliability during peak demand periods while achieving significant savings.
Customers participating in either project can manage their systems through the FranklinWH app. Battery discharge to the grid occurs automatically, and users can monitor system performance in real time and opt out at any time.
