California Wants to Turn Home Batteries Into Power Plants

California wants to turn home batteries into power plants, at least on paper. A new state bill, SB 913, would let your home battery, EV, and thermostat work together to support the electric grid. Here is what the proposal says and where it stands.

A Bill That Treats Your Garage Like a Power Plant

On March 24, 2026, State Senator Josh Becker introduced SB 913, a measure built on a simple observation. Millions of California homes already own smart thermostats, electric vehicles, and battery storage.

Becker argues the state should pool those devices into virtual power plants. Together, they could support the grid during peak hours, instead of relying on large, costly plants. As a result, the bill treats customer-owned clean energy as an asset hiding in plain sight. The pitch also arrives during a stretch of rising bills, so lawmakers want cheaper ways to add capacity.

What SB 913 Would Do

SB 913 would tell the California Public Utilities Commission to act by June 30, 2027. The agency would work with state energy regulators and the grid operator. Together, they would let pooled home devices count toward grid reliability. In short, your home battery and EV could become the capacity the electric grid plans around.

The bill would also credit you for the energy your battery sends back to the grid, not just for the demand you avoid. Together, these devices would act as one virtual power plant (VPP). That lets them bid into the market like a regular generator. Moreover, it would let companies that are not utilities build and run these aggregations. Supporters say that change adds competition and squeezes more value from the storage systems households already paid for.

Where the Bill Stands Right Now

SB 913 is not the law yet, and that distinction matters. The Senate passed it 39-0 on May 27, 2026, and the Assembly’s Committee on Utilities and Energy received it on June 4. So far, the bill has drawn broad support. Backers include environmental groups, clean-energy trade groups, and device makers. Only one person formally opposed it in the Senate review.

Still, the bill faces real hurdles. In October 2025, Governor Newsom vetoed several similar bills. He often said they overlapped with work that state agencies were already doing. Because of that pattern, analysts expect the Assembly to tighten the cost and coordination rules first. You can follow the latest version through the official bill text as amendments arrive.

Why California Is Betting on Household Devices

The logic runs on california energy economics. Peak energy demand keeps climbing, and expanding the grid is a major driver of rising electricity bills. The state has another path. Instead of building more plants for a few peak hours, it could use stored clean energy and smart charging to reduce electricity costs.

Becker’s office points to real numbers. California has already connected more than 8,000 customer batteries, worth over 100 megawatts, those run from San Diego to the Bay Area. The idea is not new, either. California’s energy commission already runs an incentive program that pays customers to cut power use during extreme events. SB 913 tries to make these resources count year-round, not only in emergencies.

The Catch for Solar Owners

Here is the nuance most coverage skips. The current text does not include resources enrolled in net energy metering tariffs. In practice, that could leave out many rooftop solar and battery customers. Their systems often tie into existing metering, at least as the bill reads today.

That exclusion is not necessarily permanent, though. Lawmakers can still change the definition as SB 913 moves through the Assembly. Several groups already want more homes to qualify. For now, homeowners should read the headlines closely. The promise of payments for shared power may not reach every solar setup right away.

What It Means for Homeowners

For homeowners, the practical takeaway is patience paired with preparation. Nothing changes overnight, and no new payments exist yet. Even so, the direction is clear. A battery-ready system puts you in a strong spot if programs like this take shape. A good battery also provides backup power during outages today, which is valuable in its own right.

A modern panel with enough capacity makes adding home energy storage or an EV charger far smoother. Likewise, choosing equipment built for solar and battery integration keeps future options open. Curious how exporting power could work in practice? Our overview of vehicle-to-grid charging covers the same idea from the EV side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SB 913 now law in California?

No. The California Senate passed SB 913 on May 27, 2026, and the Assembly is now reviewing it. The bill would still need Assembly approval and the governor’s signature first. The proposed deadline for new rules is June 30, 2027.

Can my home battery power my house and export to the grid?

Yes, many modern systems can power your home and send extra energy back when set up correctly. SB 913 specifically aims to credit that exported energy, not just the demand you reduce. Your actual ability still depends on your equipment, your utility, and local connection rules.

Why does California want to turn home batteries into power plants?

California wants to turn home batteries into power plants because thousands of small, customer-owned devices have real value when combined. Pooled together, they can supply clean power during peak hours. Supporters argue this lowers costs, cuts pollution, and makes fuller use of the clean energy the state already has.

The Bottom Line for California Homeowners

The phrase sounds dramatic, but the truth is simpler. California wants to turn home batteries into power plants by counting them as reliable capacity. It would not literally turn your garage into a generating station.

If SB 913 becomes law, aggregated virtual power plants could support grid reliability and ease pressure on bills. The bill still faces hurdles in the Assembly, and details about who qualifies and how payments work remain unsettled. For now, the smartest move is to stay informed and keep your home’s electrical system ready.