OhmConnect runs a demand‑response platform that alerts residential customers to high‑price grid intervals and automatically curtails load via integrated smart‑home devices, achieving at least a 10 % reduction in household consumption. The saved energy is aggregated into a virtual power plant that utilities can dispatch, and participants receive cash or rewards for their contributions.
Funding
$55M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
TGFounders
Product
Problem
During peak electricity demand periods, the grid experiences stress that can lead to higher wholesale prices, increased emissions, and potential reliability issues. Residential consumers typically lack real‑time price signals and automated tools to curtail usage, making it difficult for utilities to tap distributed load flexibility.
Solution
OhmConnect operates a demand‑response platform that notifies participants of high‑price intervals—called “OhmHours”—through mobile and web alerts. The service integrates with common smart‑home devices (thermostats, plugs, lighting) via open APIs to execute automated load‑shedding actions that achieve at least a 10 % reduction in household consumption. Reduced usage translates into lower utility bills for the consumer and earns them cash, gift‑card, or prize rewards through a transparent points system. Aggregated reductions from thousands of homes are bundled into a virtual power plant, which utilities can dispatch as a grid‑stability resource. Advanced analytics and machine‑learning models optimize event timing and quantify each participant’s contribution, while end‑to‑end encryption safeguards personal energy data.
Target Audience
The primary customers are residential electricity consumers in participating utility service areas who own or are willing to install smart‑home devices, as well as utility companies seeking scalable, on‑demand load‑reduction resources.
Features
- Real‑time price‑signal detection and “OhmHour” event notifications via mobile app and email alerts
- Plug‑and‑play API connectors for leading smart‑thermostats, smart plugs, and IoT lighting systems to enable automated load curtailment
- Machine‑learning engine that forecasts optimal reduction windows and predicts household savings
- Secure, anonymized data aggregation that complies with industry privacy standards (HIPAA‑like encryption, role‑based access)
- Rewards marketplace that converts saved kilowatt‑hours into cash payouts, gift‑cards, and weekly prize entries
- Utility‑facing dashboard exposing aggregated demand‑response capacity, event performance metrics, and compliance reporting
- Compatibility with major California utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, Con Edison) and extensible to other service territories
- Referral program and community leaderboard to boost participant engagement