California seeks to expand distributed energy programs to ease grid strain

California, already the most advanced U.S. demand response market, is exploring how to better harness home batteries, EV chargers, and smart thermostats to balance grid load while compensating customers.

First covered Aug 18, 2026 · 5:30 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

California seeks to expand distributed energy programs to ease grid strain — Image via heatmap.news

Coverage

46d Heatmap News Exclusive: How California Could Unlock Its Distributed Energy Potential — By many measures, California is the most advanced U.S. demand response market. Its aggressive clean energy targets, widespread home electrification, and…

Primary sources

brattle.com Californias Virtual Power Potential How Five Consumer Technologies Could Improve The States Energy Affordability (brattle.com)

Related coverage

46d Electrek Just 10% of California’s EVs could provide 9 GW of grid power

More coverage from around the web

electrek.co California just greenlit the future of curbside V2G EV chargers | Electrek

canarymedia.com Can customers' batteries, thermostats and EV chargers… | Canary Media

utilitydive.com Distributed batteries get legislative, utility lift in California | Utility Dive

evinfrastructurenews.com California backs world-first curbside V2G EV charger

electrek.co New bill in California senate could turn your home battery into a moneymaker

Discussion

Bluesky: @kbrigham.bsky.social Katie Brigham · 45d ago · 5 ♥ "The theoretical potential of California’s demand response strategy has far outpaced the realized grid benefits," writes @kbrigham.bsky.social. “Load flexibility has underdelivered for a long time,” says GridLab's @ricoconnell.bsky.social: heatmap.news/energy/calif... 🔌💡

Appeared in: 2026-08-18 (#1) · 2026-08-19 (#2)

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