Base Power launches home battery and virtual power plant service

US-based energy startup Base Power has developed a home battery system named Base Core, which features a capacity of 39.2 kilowatt-hours. The company utilizes a unique business model that combines home battery installation with an electricity contract, effectively turning customer batteries into a distributed virtual power plant.

By managing the charging and discharging cycles, Base Power can feed stored electricity back into the grid during peak demand periods and recharge during low usage. This process generates revenue that allows the company to offer electricity rates that are, on average, lower than the market rate. The system also serves as emergency backup power for households during outages.

Installation of a single unit takes less than an hour. A single-battery package costs $695 for installation plus a $19 monthly membership fee, while a dual-battery setup providing 78.4 kWh costs $995 for installation and $29 per month. The company reports that its installed battery capacity in the United States already exceeds 500 megawatt-hours, and its valuation recently reached $13 billion.