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Bridging Research and Reality

At Wattnest, we're transforming cutting-edge research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory into practical solutions for homeowners and utilities alike.

The Challenge We're Solving

The electricity grid faces increasing challenges in balancing supply and demand, especially with:

  • • Growing adoption of solar power causing midday overproduction
  • • Electrification of traditional gas appliances increasing peak demand
  • • Rising energy costs for consumers
  • • Increasing grid stability concerns
Time of Use Electricity Pricing

Source: San Jose Clean Energy

Our Solution: Making Your Water Heater Smarter

Real-time Load Shifting Example

Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Through advanced algorithms developed and validated at Berkeley Lab, we can:

  • • Reduce your electricity costs by up to 29%
  • • Cut peak electricity usage by 70-80%
  • • Double the utilization of clean solar energy
  • • Maintain or improve your hot water availability

How It Works

Through our partnership with SkyCentrics, we combine their industry-leading hardware with our advanced software to transform your water heater into an intelligent thermal battery. Our solution stores energy when electricity is cheap and clean, while avoiding usage during expensive and carbon-intensive periods.

1

SkyCentrics hardware securely connects to your water heater

2

Our AI software learns your hot water usage patterns

3

Receives real-time price signals from your utility company

4

Automatically optimizes heating schedules for maximum savings

Source: SkyCentrics/OpenADR

Physical Device Integration

Impact Across the Ecosystem

For Homeowners

  • • Save up to 29% on water heating costs
  • • No changes to your daily routine
  • • Simple plug-and-play installation
  • • Reliable hot water when you need it

For Utilities

  • • 80% reduction in peak period consumption
  • • Adds 5 GW of shiftable load to the grid
  • • Enhanced grid stability
  • • Reduced infrastructure costs

For the Environment

  • • 50-70% carbon emissions reduction in California
  • • 58% nationwide emissions reduction potential
  • • Support for renewable energy integration
  • • Decreased grid infrastructure needs

Looking Forward

We're not just creating a product; we're building a future where every water heater contributes to a more stable, cleaner, and more affordable energy grid.

Our vision includes expanding to serve more homeowners, deepening utility partnerships, enhancing our optimization algorithms, and contributing to a more resilient grid.

Future of Electricity Pricing

Source: CalFlexHub

References

1. Stübs, M., Grant, P., & Nordman, B. (2024). "Utility Bills Through Price-Responsive Controls for Heat Pump Water Heaters." Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

2. Stübs, M., Grant, P., & Nordman, B. (2024). "Demonstrating Load-Shaping Capabilities of Cost Minimizing Heat Pump Water Heater Controls with Varying Price Profiles." Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

3. Brockway, A., & Delforge, P. (2018). "Emissions reduction potential from electric heat pumps in California homes." The Electricity Journal.