Vermont replacing power plants with home batteries

Vermont is replacing traditional power plants with home battery systems to provide energy security, cheaper energy, and reduce outages caused by extreme weather events. These batteries, installed in homes through a program run by Vermont's largest utility, Green Mountain Power (GMP), have become the state's largest power source.

Residents like Pollyanna Bladyka, who lived in Springfield with frequent power outages, have switched to the system after being offered a more affordable alternative to expensive backup generators. Bladyka's battery system, costing $55 a month over a 10-year lease, has not lost power since its installation in 2024. The virtual power plant formed by these home batteries can mimic the resources of a traditional power plant, with over 5,500 Vermont residents using similar systems.

The US has over 40GW of virtual power plant capacity, and by 2030, 160GW could be unlocked. Vermont aims to eliminate all power outages by 2030 through a combination of battery programs and other measures, including undergrounding power lines.