About
Virtual Peaker is a comprehensive AI-powered energy management platform built specifically for utilities to harness the full potential of distributed energy resources (DERs). The platform is organized around three core product suites: Shift (Grid-Edge DERMS), which connects behind-the-meter smart devices to run residential, commercial, and industrial demand flexibility programs; Relay (Customer Engagement), which optimizes DER participation through incentive processing, automated enrollment, and communication tools; and Envision (Demand Forecasting), which leverages AI to make smart energy purchasing decisions and ensure reliable power supply. A flagship feature, Topline Demand Control, uses AI and real-time device-level control to deliver accurate and predictable load shaping for virtual power plant events. Utilities can also take advantage of Localized Dispatch for geographic DER grouping, managed EV charging programs, C&I resource integration, and a robust API ecosystem connecting hundreds of device and utility partners. Virtual Peaker empowers utility teams to launch, configure, and manage demand response programs entirely in-house, owning the full customer journey from enrollment to retention. It is designed for investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives seeking to reduce peak costs, boost grid resiliency, and accelerate the clean energy transition through distributed, AI-optimized grid management.
Key Features
- Grid-Edge DERMS (Shift): Connect and control behind-the-meter smart devices to run residential, commercial, and industrial demand flexibility programs that reduce cost and peak load.
- Customer Engagement Suite (Relay): Manage customer participation in energy programs through incentive processing, automated enrollment workflows, and effective messaging tools.
- Demand Forecasting (Envision): AI-driven forecasting to make smart energy purchasing decisions and ensure customers have a reliable supply of power at the best price.
- Topline Demand Control: Achieve dependable, precise load shaping for VPP events using real-time AI optimization across distributed devices.
- Localized Dispatch & API Integrations: Customize DER grouping by location for targeted dispatch and integrate with a broad ecosystem of device and utility partners via robust APIs.
Use Cases
- A regional electric cooperative uses Virtual Peaker to enroll residential customers with smart thermostats in a demand response program, automatically dispatching curtailment events during peak periods to reduce wholesale energy costs.
- An investor-owned utility deploys Topline Demand Control to deliver precise, predictable load shapes during high-demand summer months, using AI to optimize across thousands of distributed devices in real time.
- A municipal utility leverages the Envision forecasting suite to make smarter energy purchasing decisions, reducing over-procurement costs and ensuring supply reliability for its customer base.
- A cooperative launches a managed EV charging program using Virtual Peaker, shifting charging loads to off-peak hours to avoid demand charges and generate new revenue streams.
- A utility integrates Virtual Peaker's Relay suite to automate customer enrollment communications, track incentive payments, and improve retention rates for its demand flexibility programs.
Pros
- All-in-One Utility Platform: Combines grid-edge device control, customer engagement, and demand forecasting into a single integrated platform, reducing operational complexity.
- AI-Driven Precision: Topline Demand Control and AI forecasting provide accurate, predictable load shaping and purchasing decisions that manual approaches cannot match.
- Configurable In-House Program Management: Utilities can launch and manage demand response programs without vendor dependency, owning the full customer journey from enrollment to retention.
- Broad Device & Partner Ecosystem: Extensive API integrations with device and utility partners allow utilities to bring their own devices and scale programs across diverse DER portfolios.
Cons
- Enterprise-Only Pricing: Virtual Peaker is a commercial enterprise solution with no self-serve or transparent pricing, making it inaccessible to smaller organizations without a sales engagement.
- Utility-Specific Use Case: The platform is purpose-built for electric utilities and cooperatives, making it unsuitable for businesses or individuals outside the energy sector.
- Implementation Complexity: Deploying and configuring DERMS, forecasting, and engagement tools across a utility's infrastructure requires significant onboarding and technical coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of utilities does Virtual Peaker serve?
Virtual Peaker serves investor-owned utilities (IOUs), municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives of various sizes looking to manage distributed energy resources and run demand response programs.
What is Topline Demand Control?
Topline Demand Control is Virtual Peaker's AI-powered load shaping feature that uses real-time device-level control to deliver accurate and predictable aggregate load shapes during virtual power plant events.
Can utilities manage demand response programs without IT support?
Yes. Virtual Peaker's platform is designed to be configurable by utility teams, enabling them to launch, manage, and automate demand response programs in-house without heavy reliance on external developers.
Does Virtual Peaker support EV charging management?
Yes. The platform includes managed EV charging capabilities, allowing utilities to explore new revenue streams and integrate EV loads into their broader demand flexibility strategy.
What integrations does Virtual Peaker offer?
Virtual Peaker offers a robust API ecosystem with integrations for a wide range of smart devices and utility systems, supporting Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs and interoperability with existing grid infrastructure.
