In a world of warming with increasingly extreme weather events, owners turn to rescue batteries for relief and peace of mind. But the backup only lasts so long, and there is a more important problem at stake: aging electrical networks.
Enter the virtual power station, managed via a cloud -based system. It is a fertile market for a number of companies, because consumers are looking for more reliability, especially in areas subject to extreme temperatures and storms.
Base Power, whose headquarters are in Austin, Texas, is a virtual and equipment company that provides a backup battery to owners. The startup manages the batteries and practically controls the power that enters and goes out.
“We install our batteries on our customers' houses. When the network is operational, we use these batteries to support the electricity network,” said the basic CEO Zach Dell. “When the grid goes out, our customers get these batteries to save their home. We are also able to save our customers in the order of 10 to 20% per month on their electricity bills.”
Contrary to Tesla And PeakThe base does not sell backup batteries at home. Rather, it rents the batteries to the owners, providing the hardware, software, installation, operations and electricity. Essentially, it is an energy company based on the battery.
“We have it and a feat,” said Dell. “We treat all maintenance. We take care of the system as if it were ours.”
This control allows the base to handle the way the battery is used, specifically accessing a cheaper power and the realization of these consumer savings. The base loads the battery of the grid when the demand is low, generally during the night. When demand is at its peak – summer evenings and winter mornings – the base sells energy, unloading the battery to support the network.
For initial costs of $ 595, then about $ 19 per month, the owners have access to reliable power, supplied by base. This power is generated by several sources, including wind, solar, natural gas and coal. According to the company, around half of the basic customers have even more energy, which reduces its costs and allows them to sell this power at the base.
A company spokesperson said that the base compensates for customers of the power they sell, calculated as the cost of wholesale in real time plus 3 cents per kilowatt hour. Affairs rates may vary depending on market conditions and other factors.
Base now serves one of the largest manufacturers in the country, Lennarwhich is also an investor. Base installs batteries during the construction process in around 20 communities subject to Lennar tests in Texas.
Stuart Miller, President and C-PDG of Lennar, said that it was not only a question of making money.
“This is, will we be able to improve the overall stature of the house construction company, because it seeks to tackle the markets that are stressed and have problems?” He said. “Public services and electricity are part of it.”
Base has lifted a total of $ 268 million from investors, including Lennar, Thrive Capital, Valor Equity Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Andresen Horowitz.
Base recently announced its first utility partnership near San Antonio. Dell said society hoped to develop soon outside of Texas. However, the batteries are made in China, and Dell said that he expects to see an impact on the prices.
– CNBC producer, Lisa Rizzolo, contributed to this play.
