Plico Virtual Power Plant
When you join Plico, you become part of WA’s largest independent Virtual Power Plant (VPP). You’re supporting the grid and accelerating WA’s transition to a clean energy future while helping prevent blackouts for thousands of homes. You also earn financial rewards for your energy.
Our VPP is building a community of clean energy change-makers. With exciting battery rebates announced, there's never been a better time to access the benefits of VPPs and clean energy. Plico is the only independent approved VPP provider for the WA Battery Rebate, so we can help you make the most of the financial incentives available.
You can join the Plico VPP if you already have a solar battery or are having one installed by another solar provider. If you purchase a Plico solar battery, your system is automatically connected to our VPP.
We look forward to welcoming you to WA’s largest and longest running independent Virtual Power Plant community!
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When you join Plico, you join our innovative Virtual Power Plant (VPP). You’ll be supporting the grid and accelerating Australia's transition to a clean energy future. Once the VPP is up and running in Victoria, you will earn financial rewards just for being part of it.
With the Plico VPP, you're part of a community of clean energy change-makers!
Our VPP was the first of its kind in Western Australia, and its’s growing rapidly. We now have almost 2000 households signed up – that’s over 19 MWh in battery storage. Our community of clean energy systems acts like one mini power plant, providing essential services to the grid when required. And just like any other energy provider, you will get paid for providing these services.
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Why choose Plico's VPP?
Our VPP is the first of its kind in Western Australia, and it’s growing rapidly. We now have almost 3000 households signed up – that’s around 30 MWh in battery storage. Our community of clean energy systems acts like one mini power plant, providing essential services to the grid when required. And just like any other energy provider, you get paid for providing these services.
Your rewards
As an independent VPP provider, we have your back. You're always better off with our VPP financial rewards, which pay you more for your energy. You receive 3x your energy costs (tariff) for energy exported from your battery to the grid during a VPP event. This is a minimum payment of 94c/kWh (unit).
Your impact
Being part of Plico's VPP means you can make a positive impact on the community, the grid and the planet - as well as your hip pocket! Our VPP will send excess energy from your battery to the grid when it's needed most; to prevent blackouts and grid emergencies. This won't happen often, but when it does, you'll know that you are contributing to something bigger. And by using energy generated from rooftops across WA, there is less need for expensive energy infrastructure which drives up electricity costs for everyone.
What is a Virtual Power Plant?
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a network of distributed energy resources (DER), in our case household solar + battery, solar and/or battery systems, that is managed remotely to generate, store and transfer energy to and from the grid. VPPs can increase or decrease energy supply to the grid almost instantly, providing a flexible, cost-effective and clean energy solution to the support the grid.
How does a VPP support the grid?
VPPs can be managed to bring the grid back into balance under both minimum demand and peak demand scenarios. When there is minimum demand, energy supply to the grid is high and energy demand on the grid is low. This can occur in the middle of mild sunny days when solar exports to the grid are high but there is low demand from homes, business and industry. Peak demand is when the oppositive occurs; energy supply to the grid is low and demand is high. This usually occurs on hot summer evenings when energy demand increases just as solar exports start to decrease.
Both minimum demand and peak demand create a high degree of fluctuation between supply and demand at varying times in a given day, and both scenarios can cause serious issues for maintaining grid stability. The good news is that a VPP can help smooth out these fluctuations by managing supply and demand. VPPs can also help manage grid voltage and frequency, providing a low-cost clean energy solution that benefits all users of the grid.
The table and diagrams below explain the key differences between minimum demand and peak demand, and what Plico members can do to help.
What is a Virtual Power Plant?
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a network of distributed energy resources (DER), in our case household solar + battery and battery only systems, that is managed remotely to generate, store and transfer energy to and from the grid. VPPs can increase or decrease energy supply to the grid almost instantly, providing a flexible, cost-effective and clean energy solution to the support the grid.
Want to know more? Check out our ABCs of the VPP.
Plico's Virtual Power Plant in the spotlight
Plico's Virtual Power Plant was recently featured in an ABC News story, which highlighted the power of VPPs in keeping the grid stable and enabling more clean energy in the grid network. Check it out below.
Being part of something bigger
As an independent VPP provider, we ensure that the needs of our members always come first. Hear the inspiring story of Damian and discover how joining WA's largest community of solar batteries has transformed his energy journey.
How does the Plico VPP support the grid?
The Plico VPP can be managed to bring the grid back into balance under both minimum demand and peak demand scenarios. When there is minimum demand, energy supply to the grid is high and energy demand is low. This can occur in the middle of mild sunny days when solar exports to the grid are high but there is low demand from homes, business and industry. Peak demand is when the oppositive occurs; energy supply to the grid is low and demand is high. This usually occurs on hot summer evenings when energy demand increases just as solar exports start to decrease.
Both minimum demand and peak demand create a high degree of fluctuation between supply and demand at varying times in a given day, and both scenarios can cause serious issues for maintaining grid stability. The good news is that our VPP can help smooth out these fluctuations by managing supply and demand using our fleet of solar + battery and battery systems.
The diagrams below explain the key differences between minimum demand and peak demand.
Have questions?
We'd love to help! Reach out to us at connect@plicoenergy.com.au or join today to be part of WA’s largest and longest running independent VPP.
Have questions about the Plico VPP? Contact us at hello@plicoenergy.com.au or sign up now to join WA’s largest privately-owned VPP.
WA born and bred
Plico was started in Dunsborough, WA and now is backed by an award-winning team. While we’re focused in the short term on helping West Aussies transition to reliable, ongoing clean energy we have plans to expand throughout Australia (and one day, the world!)
Want to know more about Plico's VPP?
Read our latest blogs to learn more about the Virtual Power Plant and how it benefits the grid and Plico members.
Community is at the heart of everything we do, and our Members are the heartbeat
There are a variety of reasons why Plico can work for you. But don't take our word for it...
Hear from some of our amazing Members below on why they chose to join the Plico community.
Plico in the News
What our Members Say
"I’m happy with a much lower bill, considering we're a family of seven. Plico makes it affordable to enter the renewable energy market, especially for those that almost live day by day financially. It's a great package.”
“Plico has given me the freedom to live more comfortably by using the power I generate as much as I please and at any time of the day or night thanks to my battery. It's great knowing that the hot summer days aren't costing me anything and by powering my ACs all day, the sun is actually keeping me cool for once.”
"Ease of onboarding solar and battery without up front capital costs. High levels of customer service at every step. Knowledgeable installer who paid great attention to detail and actually rectified a design issue before installation to ensure maximum efficiency."
"We're not only saving money, but feel we are playing a small part in reducing our carbon footprint."
“I love getting electricity ‘bills’ now. Our home solar is through Plico. We are now 97% independent from the grid. I can thoroughly recommend Plico Energy for their commitment to enabling low to middle income households access to renewable energy and for their genuine and caring customer service.”
“Local people, local products, any problems easy to get hold of the team with a phone call or message. Great concept of payment. Design of system was great with options for 3 phase systems. Installation of final product looks really neat and tidy all contained neatly. I tell everyone I meet that is looking for solar to not go past this.”
"Superb service all throughout the process.”
“Fantastic product and service.”
“Very easy stress-free and professional. Loved not having large outlay $$ But I especially like my new very low bill.”
“Good people to deal with, no upfront costs and system is running well”
“We have had our system for about 3 months now and 100% love it. The Dashboard has not only increased our understanding of how we use electricity but is now changing our behaviour. Plus, we are saving money and reducing our footprint.”
“We have hit a milestone.... for the past 7 days I have been 100% powered by our system and have still put nearly 200 kW back onto the grid. This is with a pool pump going 8 hours a day.”
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