An innovative step towards a sustainable future, PG&E has introduced a unique all-electric model home and living lab known as the PG&E PowerHouse.
OAKLAND, Calif., April 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has inaugurated the PG&E PowerHouse, an all-electric model home and technology demonstration lab stationed at their Applied Technology Services (ATS) facility in San Ramon, California.
This innovative space is where PG&E collaborates with partners to test and integrate clean energy solutions, such as bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charging, smart electric panels and meters, heat pumps, battery energy storage, and induction cooking. The goal is to diminish cost, complexity, and uncertainty for customers interested in electrifying their homes.
By serving as both a model home and a living laboratory, the PowerHouse provides a tangible example for customers, contractors, policymakers, and partners to witness the functionality of an all-electric home—from daily comfort and energy management to resilience during power outages.
“Seeing is believing,” stated Mike Delaney, Vice President, Strategy and Innovation at PG&E. “The PG&E PowerHouse demonstrates an easy and enjoyable electrified future for our customers. We are tenaciously working every day to eliminate the barriers of cost, time, and complexities so that our customers can make this transition free of hassle and stress.”
Addressing Electrification Challenges
For many, the process of electrification can seem daunting due to expenses and complexity, particularly concerning electrical upgrades and device compatibility. The PowerHouse is designed to address these issues by implementing solutions that make electrification more straightforward and accessible.
The PG&E PowerHouse features a range of modern clean energy technologies that enable customers to:
- Add electric appliances and EV charging without costly panel upgrades
- Manage energy use more efficiently to control costs
- Improve home resilience, including using electric vehicles for backup power
- Adopt electrification gradually, instead of all at once. PG&E has introduced the Clean Energy Calculator to assist customers in understanding cost and savings potential before making decisions on home electrification.
This initiative is part of PG&E’s larger commitment to affordable electrification, which includes collaborations like PG&E’s collaboration with SPAN to introduce SPAN Edge technology, facilitating the addition of EVs and electric appliances without the need for costly electrical service upgrades.
Real Technologies, Unified in One Home
The PG&E PowerHouse amalgamates various technologies in a single home setting, including:
- Bidirectional electric vehicles, showcasing their potential as home energy assets and grid support, building on PG&E’s Vehicle-to-Everything pilot program. Participants in PG&E’s V2X program may qualify for incentives up to $4,500 for eligible equipment.
- Smart electric panels and advanced meters, illustrating how homes can safely and efficiently manage electrical loads
- High-efficiency appliances, such as heat pump space and water heating and induction cooking, replacing gas systems while maintaining comfort
- Smart EV charging and energy management, assisting customers in balancing convenience, reliability, and cost
These demonstrations support PG&E’s expanded collaboration with Itron to improve customer experience through grid-edge intelligence like ChargeBoost, which aims to facilitate easier and more affordable home electrification while enhancing grid reliability.
Several projects and technologies at the PowerHouse are funded through PG&E’s electric R&D budget under the public purpose program Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC). EPIC aids the demonstration of emerging technologies enhancing safety, reliability, affordability, environmental sustainability, and equity for California electric customers.
Guiding Customers Through Innovation
The PG&E PowerHouse functions as a working lab that helps translate innovation into clear guidance, improved programs, and simplified pathways for customers. By testing technologies in real-world home conditions, PG&E aims to ensure that customers gain from solutions that are practical and ready for deployment. Insights garnered from the PowerHouse will steer future customer programs, contractor guidance, and investments designed to reduce costs and simplify electrification.
Following its launch, the PG&E PowerHouse will continue to be a long-term demonstration and learning space, hosting tours, technology showcases, partner collaborations, and community engagements focused on the future of electric living. By situating innovation in a real home setting, PG&E intends to help customers understand not just what is possible but what is practical.
Learn More About Electrifying Your Home
Customers interested in discovering more about electric appliances, EV charging, rebates, and programs can visit https://www.pge.com/electrify for tools and resources to plan their electrification journey.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving over sixteen million individuals across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com, pge.com/news and pge.com/innovation.
SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Original Story at www.prnewswire.com