Base Power, an energy storage startup, has started selling its massive home battery systems to residents of Illinois. This marks the company's first foray into the grid territory operated by PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. grid operator by territory.
The startup's entry into the PJM grid comes at a time when the operator has struggled to cope with an onslaught of new data centers, leading to a power crunch and nearly doubling wholesale electricity prices over the past year. Base Power's rates in Illinois are 25% below utility ComEd's, making it an attractive option for residents.
Base Power's technology allows it to charge batteries when electricity prices are cheap and dispatch them when the grid needs it most. The company has already gained significant traction, operating over 500 megawatt-hours of battery storage in Texas. Its expansion into the PJM grid is expected to help alleviate the region's power struggles.
