How Does Base Power Company Work?

Base Power Company is revolutionizing Texas's energy landscape:

• Installs home battery systems for backup power
• Acts as your electricity provider
• Lowers bills by 10-20%
• Helps balance the grid during peak times

Here's the quick rundown:

1. You pay $2,000 for a 20kWh battery installation
2. Base Power becomes your electricity company
3. Their system manages your power use automatically
4. You get backup power during outages
5. Your monthly bill is lower and more stable

Feature	Base Power	Traditional Providers
Upfront Cost	$2,000	Usually $0
Monthly Bills	Lower, stable	Higher, fluctuating
Backup Power	Built-in	None (unless you buy a generator)
Grid Support	Yes	No
Contract Length	15 years	Varies

Base Power is currently available in select Texas areas, including Austin, Waco, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth. They're growing fast and aim to solve Texas's energy problems while promoting cleaner power.

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What is Base Power Company?

Base Power Company is a Texas startup tackling the state's power grid problems. Founded in 2023 by Zach Dell and Justin Lopas, they offer home energy services using distributed battery storage.

Company Background

Base Power was born from Texas's unstable power grid issues. They aim to:

• Back up homes during outages
• Help the grid when demand peaks
• Cut customers' electricity bills

Zach Dell, co-founder, puts it this way:

"We believe that the existing power grid is outdated, it's really undersized, it's poorly maintained. And this unfortunately has led to unreliable power and volatile electricity prices for homeowners in the state."

They've raised $68 million from investors like Thrive Capital and Valor Equity Partners to grow across Texas.

How It Works

Base Power's service has three main parts:

1. Home battery system

A big battery that backs up your home and helps balance the grid.

2. Monthly energy service

Base Power buys power from the grid and sells it to you, acting as your electric company.

3. Installation

They handle everything, making it easy to get started.

Here's what you get:

Feature	Details
Backup power	Covers 97% of outages
Savings	10-20% off your electric bill
Upfront cost	$2,000 for battery install
Monthly fee	Based on your home and energy use
Solar	Optional, not required

Their software manages the batteries and responds to grid events in real-time, keeping everything running smoothly.

How Base Power's Home Energy Service Works

Base Power's service uses smart tech and batteries to keep your lights on and your wallet happy. Here's the scoop:

The Stand-Alone Power System (SAPS)

The heart of Base Power's service is the SAPS. It's got:

• A big battery
• Smart controls
• Grid connection for backup

This system can run solo, powering your home even when the grid's down. It's built to last 15 years and handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it.

Solar + Battery + Grid = Power Perfection

Base Power mixes three power sources:

1. Solar panels (if you want 'em):

Make electricity during the day and feed extra juice to the battery.

2. Battery storage:

Holds power for later and keeps you running during outages.

3. Grid power:

Fills in when solar and battery need a hand. Also charges the battery when electricity's cheap.

This combo lets Base Power offer lower, fixed monthly bills. They're basically power shopping pros, buying when it's cheap and using stored energy when prices spike.

Power Source	What It Does
Solar	Powers day, charges battery
Battery	Night power, outage backup
Grid	Backup, cheap charging

Base Power's software juggles all this automatically. It switches between sources to keep your home powered and your bill in check.

Zach Dell, Base Power's Co-founder, puts it this way:

"Base Power is the key to unlocking an energy abundant future through dispatchable, distributed battery storage."

In other words: They're making sure you've got power when you need it, without breaking the bank.

Parts of Base Power's System

Base Power's system has four key components:

Solar Panels

Solar panels are the heart of the system. They:

• Capture sunlight
• Convert it to DC electricity
• Use an inverter to change DC to AC for your home

Battery Storage

Batteries store excess energy for when:

• It's cloudy
• You need extra power
• The grid goes down

Two main battery types:

Type	Pros	Cons
Lithium-ion	Durable, efficient	Pricier
Lead-acid	Cheaper	Shorter life, more maintenance

Backup Generators

Generators provide power when solar and batteries aren't enough:

• Use fuel like natural gas or propane
• Start automatically
• Keep you powered during extended outages

Energy Management System

This is the system's brain. It:

• Monitors your power use
• Chooses between solar, battery, or grid power
• Keeps everything running smoothly

Base Power combines these elements to give you reliable, clean energy and cut your bills. It's your personal power plant.

What Customers Get

Base Power packs a punch with its customer benefits. Here's what you get:

Lower Energy Bills

Base Power cuts your energy costs:

• 10% drop in energy expenses after switching
• Fixed monthly bill that's lower than before
• You only pay for diesel when the backup generator kicks in

Backup Power When Needed

No more sitting in the dark during outages:

• Battery storage jumps in when the grid fails
• Keep your fridge, lights, and Wi-Fi running
• Tough batteries last 15 years, even in harsh weather

Powered During Outages	Not Powered
Fridges	AC
Lights	Electric stoves
Internet	EVs
TV
Convenience outlets

Clean Energy Use

Go green without breaking the bank:

• 90% renewable energy (beats the grid's 75-80%)
• Solar panels offset emissions in 1-4 years

"Base Power brings Texans an affordable alternative to backup generators, while adding dispatchability to the grid and compensating residential customers fairly for their ongoing reliability contributions." - Becky Klein, former chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas

Base Power delivers lower bills, reliable backup, and clean energy without the usual high upfront costs of home solar and battery systems.

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How Base Power's Technology Works

Base Power combines solar panels, batteries, and smart controls to deliver clean, reliable energy. Here's the breakdown:

Solar Power Generation

Solar panels on your roof turn sunlight into electricity. It's that simple.

Energy Storage and Management

The core of the system? A 20 kWh battery with an 11 kW inverter. This duo:

• Stores extra solar energy
• Charges from the grid when it's cheap
• Keeps your lights on during blackouts

Built tough, this battery lasts 15 years and can handle rough weather.

Smart Control System

Base Power's custom software runs the show:

• Watches the grid in real-time
• Maximizes energy use and storage
• Sends power to the grid when it's stressed

This creates a "virtual power plant", helping balance the grid and reduce the need for gas plants.

Integrating with Your Home

Base Power's tech plays nice with your existing setup:

Part	Job
Solar panels	Make electricity
Battery	Store energy
Inverter	Convert power types
Smart controls	Manage energy flow

Right now, it can't work with existing solar setups. But that's coming soon.

Zach Dell, Base Power co-founder, puts it this way:

"Our battery charges when power is cheap and discharges when it's expensive. This lets us offer you more reliable power at a lower rate."

Base Power in Texas

Base Power is shaking up Texas energy. Here's what you need to know about this newcomer and how it differs from traditional power companies.

Where to Get Base Power

Base Power is currently available in select Texas areas:

• Austin-Round Rock
• Waco
• San Antonio
• Houston
• Dallas-Fort Worth

They're growing fast, with over 1,000 people on their waitlist.

Base Power vs. Traditional Providers

Base Power isn't your typical energy company. Here's how they're different:

Feature	Base Power	Traditional Providers
Upfront Cost	$2,000 for battery	Usually none
Monthly Bills	Lower, more stable	Higher, fluctuating
Backup Power	Built-in battery	None (unless you buy a generator)
Grid Support	Acts as "virtual power plant"	No support
Tech	Smart battery system	Standard grid service

Base Power combines a home battery, energy service, and installation in one package. This setup allows for more stable prices and backup power.

Zach Dell, Base Power co-founder, explains:

"Our battery charges when power is cheap and discharges when it's expensive. This helps us offer you a more reliable and lower rate."

Customers are seeing results. Kavao Siharath in Round Rock says:

"We've cut our energy costs by 10%, avoided summer bill spikes, and got backup power. It's a huge relief."

Base Power's system also helps the Texas grid. Their batteries kick in during outages, keeping customers powered and reducing grid strain.

Becky Klein, former Texas Public Utility Commission Chair, notes:

"Base offers an affordable generator alternative, adds to grid stability, and fairly compensates customers for reliability contributions."

As Base Power grows in Texas, they're aiming to make the state a leader in energy tech and affordability. Their approach could change how Texans think about home energy.

Common Questions

Here's what people want to know about Base Power:

Who Can Use Base Power

Base Power is for homeowners in these Texas areas:

• Austin-Round Rock
• Waco
• San Antonio
• Houston
• Dallas-Fort Worth

Check if you're eligible on the Base Power website.

How to Set Up Base Power

Getting Base Power is easy:

1. Consultation: Base checks if your home qualifies.

2. Enrollment: Sign up for service and battery agreements.

3. Paperwork: Sign permitting docs.

4. Installation: Schedule battery setup.

Base handles provider switching and covers up to $250 in cancellation fees.

Battery Life and Care

The Base battery is tough:

• Lasts 15+ years
• 20 kWh capacity (one of the biggest home batteries)
• Handles extreme weather

Base owns and maintains the battery. You don't worry about upkeep.

How Billing Works

Base Power keeps billing simple:

Feature	Details
Monthly Bills	Auto-charged, view in customer app
First Bill	Up to 35 days after service starts
Payment	Auto-pay and paperless by default
Rates	Below market average, guaranteed
Solar Credits	Paid for extra production, roll over monthly

Orlando Perez, a Base customer in Round Rock, Texas, says:

"Getting a battery backup that lowers my electricity bill is a no-brainer."

Base only charges for home energy use, not battery charging or discharging. This keeps bills lower and more stable than traditional providers.

What's Next for Base Power

Base Power is shaking up the electricity game. Here's their game plan:

Growing Fast

They're spreading across Texas like wildfire:

• Started in Austin-Round Rock
• Now in Waco, San Antonio, Houston
• Just hit Dallas-Fort Worth in May 2024

More Texans can now get backup power without breaking the bank.

Zach Dell, CEO, puts it bluntly:

"The pain every Texan feels in the summer and the winter is a preview of what may come nationwide."

Sounds like they're eyeing more than just Texas.

Supercharging Battery Installs

Base Power's not messing around:

1. Speeding up installs

Going from one to two or three batteries a day. More power to more people, faster.

2. Teaming up with the grid

They've joined the ADER pilot program. Translation? Home batteries helping the whole grid.

3. Beefing up batteries

They're cooking up their own, bigger battery packs. Whole-home backup? You bet.

Jason Ryan from CenterPoint Energy's on board:

"More batteries in Texas homes and better value for customers means a better future for Texans."

Flipping the Energy Script

Base Power could change the game:

Old School	Base Power Style
Big power plants	Batteries in every home
Blackout prone	Power through 97% of outages
Price rollercoaster	Steadier, cheaper bills
Grid struggles alone	Batteries pitch in

Justin Lopas, Co-founder, breaks it down:

"If the grid goes off, the battery automatically kicks in and you might not even know you're in an outage and the battery protects you from that outage."

What's this mean?

• Rock-solid home power
• Less grid stress
• Lower energy bills
• Faster clean energy adoption

As Base Power grows, they might just solve Texas's energy headaches - and then some.

Wrap-Up

Base Power Company is changing the Texas energy game. Here's what you need to know:

They install 20kWh batteries in homes, become your power company, and manage your energy use. This means backup power during outages and lower, steady energy bills without huge upfront costs.

Base Power's approach? Different. Instead of selling you an expensive battery, they charge just $3,000 for installation. That's a fraction of the $18,000 you might pay elsewhere.

"We're building Corolla batteries, not Lamborghini batteries." - Zach Dell, Co-founder and CEO of Base Power

This setup helps your wallet AND the power grid. Base Power creates a "virtual power plant" with its network of home batteries. This means more stable power for everyone, less grid strain, and faster clean energy adoption.

Why it matters:

Issue	Stat
TX outages	6x more than 10 years ago
TX electricity prices	Nearly doubled since 2017
Battery prices	Down 82% in 10 years

Base Power's growth is telling:

• Started in Austin-Round Rock
• Now in Waco, San Antonio, Houston
• Hit Dallas-Fort Worth in May 2024

As they expand, more Texans get reliable power without breaking the bank. It's about fixing a broken system.

"The existing power grid is broken. It's outdated, undersized and poorly maintained, leading to unreliable power and volatile prices." - Zach Dell, CEO of Base Power

Base Power's approach could reshape home energy. By making battery backup affordable and supporting the grid, they're tackling personal and systemic energy problems. As power needs grow and climate challenges increase, this might be what we need to keep the lights on.

FAQs

How does Base Power work?

Base Power uses a stand-alone power system (SAPS) that works independently from regular power grids. Here's the breakdown:

1. Installation

Base Power puts a 20kWh battery and 11kW inverter in your home. You pay $2,000 for this.

2. Energy management

The system charges the battery using solar and grid power. It's your backup when the power goes out.

3. Grid support

During peak times, Base Power can send energy back to the grid. This helps balance supply and demand.

4. Fixed pricing

You pay a set monthly rate. It's usually less than what you paid before.

5. Maintenance

Base Power owns and takes care of the equipment for 15 years (that's how long the contract lasts).

"We guarantee that the battery always has power in it to protect your home from power outages." - Zach Dell, Co-founder of Base Power

This system aims to fix Texas's energy problems - like frequent outages and crazy price swings. It also helps push for more renewable energy use.

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