Energy Support

Tesla Virtual Power Plant Powered by U.S. Virgin Islands Energy Office VIBES 2.0 Program

Join the Tesla Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and support the U.S. Virgin Islands’ (USVI) grid while earning money and maintaining your energy security. Learn about the benefits, eligibility, requirements, compensation and more.

Overview of the Program

The Tesla Virtual Power Plant (VPP) connects communities of homes with Powerwall to enhance the U.S. Virgin Islands’ grid reliability and resiliency. By joining the VIBES 2.0 program, your Powerwall will reduce energy usage during the hours when demand is highest and clean energy resources are scarce. This could include shifting the time when your battery is used to power your home. The interactions would be seamless to you, and no extra effort is needed on your part. You can earn a one-time enrollment incentive of $500 for each Powerwall you enroll, for up to four Powerwall units. Additionally, you can earn $125 every quarter for each Powerwall you enroll, up to four Powerwall units.

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Benefits

  • Earn Compensation: Upfront enrollment incentives and on-going incentives are based on the number of Powerwall units you enroll.
  • Maintain Your Energy Security: After enrolling, your VPP Event Backup Reserve is set to 50%, ensuring you always have backup power when you need it.
  • Stabilize the USVI’s Grid: The extra capacity your Powerwall provides can help avoid or reduce blackouts in a severe emergency.
  • Community Strength: Team up with other Powerwall owners in the USVI to build a more reliable grid.

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Eligibility

Powerwall owners are eligible to participate if you:

  • Have a customer service account registered in VIWAPA’s territory
  • Have a battery storage unit installed at your home
  • Be enrolled in either Net Energy Metering (NEM) for systems installed prior to June 2017, or Net Energy Billing (NEB) for systems installed after June 2017

Sign up through the Tesla app and your eligibility will be reviewed. If eligible, you will automatically be enrolled.

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Enrollment

To enroll:

  1. Open the Tesla app and select the Virtual Power Plant section on the Powerwall home screen.
  2. Ensure that you have your VIWAPA utility bill with you to retrieve your account number.

Online bill:

Paper bill:

  1. Enter your information so that the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) can verify you as a current customer including name, account number as stated on your VIWAPA utility bill, email and phone number.
  2. Review the program information and select 'Agree and Apply.'

Your application will now undergo review by VIEO. You will be notified in the Tesla app once your application has been approved.

Note: Virgin Islands Energy Office will send you an email after your enrollment to collect additional information needed to pay you for participation in the program. When you receive the email, respond in a timely manner to avoid any delays in payment.

Participation

Once you are enrolled in the program, Tesla will call upon the virtual power plant for scheduled grid support events. When these events occur, your Powerwall will dispatch excess stored energy back to the grid. Up to 50 events per year, maximum of one event per day lasting between two and six hours. Events are typically called at least 24 hours in advance.

What to Expect

  • Pre-Event: You may receive a push notification from the Tesla app about the event times. Your Powerwall will prioritize charging and preparing for the event.
  • During the Event: Your Powerwall will discharge to support the grid until the event ends, it reaches your VPP Backup Reserve level or you opt out.
  • Post-Event: Powerwall resumes normal operation.

Controlling Your Participation

Powerwall gives you the ability to opt out of a single event. Use the Tesla app to opt out of any scheduled or active event.

Additionally, your VPP Event Backup Reserve gives you the flexibility to determine how much of your battery you’d like to share during any event. Your VPP Event Backup Reserve will be initially set at 50%, but you can change it to accommodate your needs.

Compensation

  • Upfront Incentives: Upon enrollment, you are eligible for an upfront incentive of $500 per Powerwall, up to a maximum total enrollment incentive of $2,000.
  • Ongoing Incentives: Customers will receive ongoing participation payments in addition to the enrollment incentive. Ongoing performance incentives will be $125 per quarter per Powerwall enrolled for up to four Powerwall units. That equals $500 per Powerwall enrolled annually, in addition to the upfront incentive.

Note: Virgin Islands Energy Office will send you an email after your enrollment to collect additional information needed to pay you for participation in the program. When you receive the email, respond in a timely manner to avoid any delays in payment.

Payment

Payments will come directly from the VIEO. Incentive payments will be made by check.

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Virgin Islands Battery Energy Storage (VIBES) Pilot Program Participation Agreement