Blackout Protection 101: Keeping Essential Loads Powered with a VPP
The lights go out in the street. Your fridge hums on. The modem’s lights blink calmly. That’s the promise of a well‑set battery, and a VPP doesn’t change it — it formalises it.
The first job is to define “essential”. For most homes, that’s lighting in key rooms, refrigeration, internet, and a few carefully chosen power points. Not everything deserves a lifeboat. Ovens, pool heaters and fast EV charging can wait. A good installer will already have split these circuits. If not, it’s worth the tidy‑up.
Reserve is your safety net. On an average week, 30 to 40 percent is ample for most households. Ahead of summer storms or bushfire risk days, lift that reserve and let the system ride. Run a ten‑minute blackout drill twice a year. It’s mundane, but it tells you everything: what stays on, what drains quickly, and how the family actually uses power when the grid is down.
A VPP layers in coordination. When the grid needs help, your system can contribute — but never by dipping into the reserve you’ve set aside for your own household. That’s the line that shouldn’t be crossed.
Keep the settings simple, test occasionally and let the platform do the juggling. When the street goes dark, you’ll be glad you did.