Sunrun launches first US vehicle-to-home power plant using Ford F-150 Lightning trucks

Sunrun, an American solar pioneer and a leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, has begun operating what it says is the first vehicle-to-home virtual power plant in the US, using privately-owned Ford F-150s electric utes.

Developed in partnership with Maryland’s largest utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, the small virtual power plant relies on three Sunrun customers living in BGE’s service territory who own an F-150 Lightning paired with a Ford Charge Station Pro and Home Integration System.

“This program is a significant proof of concept — no other market player has done this — and the goal is to expand these programs all around the country,” said Mary Powell, Sunrun CEO.

“This exciting partnership lays the foundation for the power grid of the future where electric vehicle owners can contribute to grid resiliency and utility price stability for everyone. The summer heat can be especially stressful on our power grid, which is why proving the use of stored energy in electric vehicles for capacity is so important.”

Backed by grant funding from the department of energy to create the virtual power plant, BGE partnered with Sunrun to develop and administer the program which is designed to provide support to BGE’s system during periods of peak energy consumption.

The virtual power plant allows BGE to discharge the F-150’s onboard batteries directly to participants’ homes, demonstrating how EVs can function akin to stationary batteries to reduce demand on the grid. This in turn helps to create a more resilient and reliable energy system for all customers on the grid.

The virtual power plant is being used to feed power back into the grid from June 1 to September 30, between the hours of 5pm to 9pm on weekdays, and will pay out approximately $US800 to the customers over the four-month period.

“The ability of Ford’s F-150 Lightning to support the electric grid and generate revenue for the owner while parked at home is a game-changing moment for electric vehicles in Maryland and nationwide as other manufacturers will follow,” said David Fraser-Hidalgo Maryland state delegate.

“I applaud the collaboration between Sunrun, Ford, and BGE. Maryland has established itself as first in the nation on vehicle-to-home innovation and will need to see more innovation like this if we are to meet our ambitious climate goals and prove that some of the solutions we need to pursue start right in the homes of Marylanders.”