Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced on April 17 the launch of the PG&E PowerHouse, an all-electric model home and demonstration laboratory located at its Applied Technology Services facility in San Ramon, California.
The initiative is designed to help customers, contractors, policymakers, and partners better understand how electrification can work in real-life settings. The PowerHouse aims to address concerns about cost, complexity, and uncertainty by testing and integrating a range of clean energy technologies.
According to PG&E, the PowerHouse serves as both a living lab and a model home where visitors can observe bidirectional electric vehicle charging systems, smart electric panels and meters, heat pumps, battery storage solutions, induction cooking appliances, and other technologies that support affordable electrification. “Seeing is believing,” said Mike Delaney, Vice President of 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.”
The company said the project builds on broader efforts such as collaborations with SPAN on PanelBoost—technology intended to help customers add electric vehicles or appliances without costly electrical service upgrades—and with Itron on ChargeBoost for grid-edge intelligence aimed at improving affordability while maintaining grid reliability. Many technologies tested at the site are funded through PG&E’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC), which supports demonstrations advancing safety, reliability, environmental sustainability, affordability, and equity for California’s electricity users.
PG&E stated that insights from testing these technologies will inform future customer programs as well as guidance for contractors. The company plans ongoing tours and events at the facility to promote community engagement around electric living.
Customers interested in learning more about available rebates or planning their own electrification projects can visit https://www.pge.com/electrify for additional resources.
