Virtual Peaker, Hoosier Energy “Connect To Save”

Three Hoosier Energy Member Co-ops Use Smart Thermostats and EV Chargers to Reduce Demand on Electric Grid

Louisville, KY – Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based SaaS company empowering modern utilities with the friendliest distributed energy platform on the planet, along with Hoosier Energy, has announced its new “Connect To Save” program. This program uses smart thermostats and Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers to reduce demand on the electric grid. 

Hoosier Energy is a Bloomington, Indiana-based generation and transmission (G&T) electric cooperative that provides wholesale power and related services to distribution cooperatives across central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois.

Connect To Save leverages Virtual Peaker’s Shift distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) suite to manage residential electric demand through machine learning and real-time control of internet-enabled appliances. This voluntary management reduces demand for electricity while minimizing the impact on homeowners. Shift connects in-home smart devices to run real-time residential demand response programs that leverage distributed energy resources (DERs) to reduce cost and avoid peak times when energy is more expensive. 

Collaborating with three of its member co-ops, Jackson County REMC (Brownstown, IN), South Central Indiana REMC (Martinsville, IN), and Southeastern Indiana REMC (Osgood, IN), Hoosier Energy is now in partnership with their participating members to remotely control residential smart thermostats and EV chargers. 

Designed to shift power consumption to off-peak times of the day, the program is helping Hoosier Energy reduce demand while transitioning to cleaner and renewable energy sources. Devices used in the program include smart thermostats from Google Nest, ecobee, and Honeywell Home, plus EV chargers provided by Enel X and ChargePoint.

The first phase of the program launched in June and allows Hoosier Energy to use the data collected by Virtual Peaker to measure its effectiveness. Hoosier Energy plans to recruit more of its member distribution cooperatives to participate in Connect To Save.

“We look forward to working with Virtual Peaker to provide software and expertise to help our member co-ops reduce demand on the electric grid,” said Ryan Henderson, Senior Manager of Emerging Energy Resources at Hoosier Energy. “We take seriously our role as trusted energy providers, and this is another area where Hoosier Energy and its members will benefit from strategic collaboration.”

“The energy industry is constantly evolving, so Virtual Peaker is pleased to partner with Hoosier Energy to reduce demand on the electric grid while helping maintain member comfort at home,” said Colin Lamb, Vice President, Client Success at Virtual Peaker. “We look forward to introducing our software platform to Hoosier Energy’s other member co-ops so that together, we can scale up the Connect To Save program and deliver more renewable energy solutions.”

About Virtual Peaker

Virtual Peaker is a cloud-based distributed energy company that empowers modern utilities to build the grid of the future and meet global decarbonization goals. The SaaS company’s platform suites unify all aspects of DER management, from DERMS to customer engagement and load forecasting. Virtual Peaker is a remote-first company that currently employs more than 45 people in various locations across the United States. Thanks to a recent $16.6 million venture funding round led by global technology and sustainability investors, Virtual Peaker is expanding its support for forward-thinking utilities that can lead the transformation to a more sustainable electric grid. For more information, visit www.virtual-peaker.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter (@VirtualPeaker).

About Hoosier Energy

Founded in 1949, Hoosier Energy is a generation and transmission cooperative (G&T) with headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana. The G&T provides electric power and services to 18 member distribution cooperatives in central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. We are a community-focused organization that works to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable, and safe energy. Collectively, our 18 members serve more than 760,000 consumers. Hoosier Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information, visit www.hoosierenergy.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Virtual Peaker:
Mark Ray | mark@markrayassociates.com | 802-355-0145
Amber Mullaney | amullaney@virtual-peaker.com | 502-689-0249

Hoosier Energy:
Curt Durnil | cdurnil@hepn.com | 812-650-2878