Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) aren’t the future. They’re already here, and they’re changing how energy businesses grow. 

In Powerverse’s most recent webinar titled “How To Unlock VPP Revenue from Home Energy Data,” our Product Marketing Manager Annie Tickel hosted a conversation about how home energy data can open up new sources of revenue. 

Alongside her were Matthew Clementson, VP of Product at Powerverse, Richard Britton, CEO of Powerverse, and Karl Bach, CEO of Axle Energy. Together, they unpacked what virtual power plants (VPPs) mean for the energy sector – And how to get started.

What Virtual Power Plants do

VPPs connect flexible home energy devices like EV chargers, solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps. By linking them together, they can respond to changes in the grid in real time. 

This shift matters because the home energy system is changing fast. More homes now generate their own power, more people are switching to electric vehicles, and more of us want more control of how and when we use energy. 

When demand is high, VPPs can reduce strain on the grid by adjusting devices across thousands of homes automatically (for example, by charging EVs at night, or preheating homes when there’s plenty of available energy).

This process is called load shifting. And it helps to balance the system, cut carbon emissions, and lower bills. 

By 2050, energy flexibility – that is, shifting energy use intelligently to better match supply and demand – could be worth over £16 billion. VPPs are how we get there. 

See how VPPs are already creating revenue – watch the webinar on demand

How energy network businesses can build new income streams 

If you’re a retailer, installer, or manufacturer of energy hardware like EV chargers, this flexibility is a chance to offer your customers something new. But it only works if the experience is simple, easy, and clear. 

As Matthew explains, people need to understand what they’re agreeing to. They need to see the value, and they need to trust the companies managing their data and devices. 

“Consumer trust is key to enabling this proposition at a consumer and residential level […] Revenues in this space rely on an ongoing relationship, where the customer continues to give permission to use their devices.”

• Matthew Clementson, VP of Product, Powerverse

At Powerverse, our trusted Energy Operating System is already doing this. It’s a complete home energy management platform, a simple app for customers, and a powerful infrastructure behind the scenes. 

It connects energy network businesses to people’s home devices, helps them participate in energy markets, and unlocks value for you and your customers through smarter energy use. 

How to start small and grow

Karl made one thing clear while talking to Richard; You don’t have to go all-in from day one. Start with a small group of homes. Test your approach. Learn what works. Then build from there.

“It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, and you’ll need to learn and see what works best for you. The risk is, you wait too long to start that process […] and you’re a bit behind the curve. […] You want to get the ball rolling so that you can pick up those learnings and figure out what’s best for your customers and for you as a business.”

• Karl Bach, CEO, Axle Energy

It’s important to get the basics right first. That means:

• High-quality, real-time data from devices
• Reliable connectivity
• Clear, honest communication with customers

Karl also pointed to recent changes in UK policy that make it easier for businesses to take part in the wholesale power market. The opportunity is growing — but it won’t wait around.

What you can do now

We’ve identified this opportunity for you, and with our tech it’s yours for the taking.

If you’re thinking about energy flexibility, it helps to break things down into three areas:

• Choose the right market: Make sure it fits your business model and where your customers are.
• Select hardware that works well with others: Devices should work well with other systems, now and in the future.
• Offer a user experience people trust: Keep it simple, stable, and clear.

Or, as Matthew put it succinctly in the webinar, “… Think big, start small, and scale fast.”

Final word

VPPs are already helping homes and businesses get more from their energy. They’re making the grid smarter and more stable. And they’re opening up a new way to earn and save.

At Powerverse, we believe in practical solutions that work for everyone. If you’re ready to explore flexibility, we’re here to help you get started. 

Thinking about how to turn home energy tech into a real business asset? Book a demo to see how we make virtual power plants work in the real world.