Virtual Power Plant (VPPs) Services in Perth WA

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

Virtual Power Plant (VPPs) in Perth, Western Australia (WA)

Western Australia is leading the charge in the clean energy transition, with rooftop solar already installed on more than a third of WA homes. The next big step is making sure all that renewable energy can be used efficiently and reliably. That’s where Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) come in.

What is a Virtual Power Plant?

A Virtual Power Plant is a smart network that links together hundreds (or thousands) of distributed energy resources—like rooftop solar panels, home batteries, electric vehicle chargers and even smart appliances. By coordinating these resources, VPPs can act like a traditional power plant: balancing supply and demand, supporting the grid during peak times and helping avoid blackouts.

In Perth and across WA, VPPs are becoming a crucial part of the energy mix because our grid is unique: the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) is isolated from the rest of Australia’s National Electricity Market. That means local solutions like VPPs are vital for keeping the lights on.

Why VPPs Matter for Perth & WA

Tackling solar curtailment: On sunny days, WA often has more rooftop solar than the grid can handle. VPPs allow that excess energy to be stored and used when it’s actually needed.
Improving reliability: Instead of building new gas peaker plants, VPPs provide fast-response power during demand peaks or outages.
Lowering bills: Households that join VPPs can earn credits or reduced tariffs for letting their battery be used when the grid needs support.
Faster payback for batteries: VPP participation can turn a home battery from a nice-to-have into a solid investment.

The Benefits of Virtual Power Plants

Cost Benefits

In some Cases, VVPs can help customers unlock more value from there distributed energy resources (such as there solar PV or battery) through compensation for services.

Stability

VPPs are sometimes referred to as 'decentralised' energy systems. These can help to keep the electricity network stable by staring and sharing renewable energy between a community.

Cleaner Energy

VPPs could allow more solar PV systems to be installed on our electricity network so we can continue to transition to a clear and greener electricity system.

The Future of VPPs in WA

VPPs are not just a pilot project anymore—they’re becoming a core part of WA’s energy strategy. The state’s Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap sets the direction for scaling up DER integration, ensuring that homes and businesses can actively participate in the energy system.

With more than 2,000 MW of rooftop solar already installed, WA is in a prime position to benefit from VPPs. As technology and market rules evolve, expect to see more opportunities for Perth households to join VPPs, earn extra income and play a direct role in powering the grid.