Residential Battery Owners Gain New Energy Revenue Stream

Owners of FranklinWH storage systems can now earn performance payments by joining utility-led virtual power plants.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of a modular home energy storage unit mounted on a stone wall, representing virtual power plant technology. — FranklinWH has partnered with Alliant Energy and Entergy Louisiana to allow residential battery owners to earn payments through virtual power plant programs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you allow your utility company to control your home battery usage to lower energy costs?

FranklinWH has partnered with Alliant Energy and Entergy Louisiana to integrate residential battery systems into virtual power plant (VPP) programs. These initiatives allow homeowners to monetize stored energy while helping utilities manage grid demand.

Why it matters

Utilities are increasingly deploying VPPs to offset the need for expensive new generation assets. For homeowners and small business owners with storage, these programs convert capital expenditures on battery hardware into recurring revenue streams.

FranklinWH systems scale up to 225kWh, with participants earning $100 per average kilowatt discharged annually. These programs supplement existing utility infrastructure, such as Alliant Energy's 275MW of large-scale battery storage.

The players

FranklinWH

A residential energy storage manufacturer specializing in modular battery systems for home and business power management.

Alliant Energy

An investor-owned utility providing electricity and natural gas services across Iowa and Wisconsin.

Entergy Louisiana

A regional utility subsidiary focused on power delivery and grid infrastructure across Louisiana.

Department of Energy

The federal agency overseeing national energy policy and providing loan guarantees for infrastructure development.

Derapi

A technology services firm that facilitates enrollment and connectivity for distributed energy resources.

The details

The FranklinWH aPower 2 system uses lithium iron phosphate cells to store energy, with the FranklinWH App automating the dispatch process to the grid during peak demand. Participating systems contribute approximately 80% of their available stored energy to these utility-managed events. Derapi acts as the facilitator for system connectivity and enrollment for the participating households.

October 13, 2026: Alliant Energy partnership announced.
October 28, 2026: Alliant Energy closed a $5.1 billion loan from the Department of Energy.
2030: Target date for Entergy to reach 155 MW of dispatchable VPP capacity.

Market Landscape

This move follows a pattern set by the Department of Energy's Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program, as utilities leverage federal financing to scale grid capacity. The integration of residential VPPs represents a shift toward decentralized energy management to augment traditional generation.

Operators with battery storage systems should track utility-led VPP incentives, as these payments can significantly improve the return on investment for energy hardware. Assess whether your current battery fleet qualifies for performance-based credits as utilities seek to aggregate local capacity.

The takeaway

Virtual power plants allow storage owners to participate directly in grid stabilization as utilities move away from relying solely on large-scale generation. Monitor your local utility's public filings for upcoming VPP enrollment windows and specific performance payment schedules.