Louisville, KY—Virtual Peaker, a leading virtual power plant software company, has partnered with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) and ICF (NASDAQ: ICFI), a global consulting and technology services provider, to launch the FlexHome Pilot, a demand response program for residential members in southern Maryland. This voluntary program is the first in the state to go beyond traditional thermostat-based demand response by leveraging Wi-Fi-connected water heaters to optimize energy usage.

The FlexHome Pilot is designed to reduce energy consumption during peak demand by adjusting water heater usage on weekdays for short periods, typically lasting just a few hours. By doing so, SMECO aims to lower reliance on more expensive and environmentally taxing power sources, helping keep energy costs low for all members while reducing the grids carbon footprint.

Participant Incentives
Residential participants in the program will receive significant financial benefits, including up to $96 in annual bill credits and a one-time enrollment payment of up to $800 if purchasing a new heat pump water heater compatible with pilot participation.

“SMECO is proud to lead the way in Maryland by introducing this innovative flexible load management program,” said Jennifer Raley, Energy & Technology Programs Manager, Demand Side Management. “The FlexHome Pilot is focused on advancing SMECO’s demand-side management capabilities by testing the coordination and participation of multiple grid-connected devices in residential homes—such as water heaters, in addition to thermostats and electric vehicles. This specific initiative also focuses on integrating smart technologies to lower energy use during times of peak energy demand, which can reduce the use of more expensive power sources. That’s good for the environment, and it helps keep energy costs low for everyone.”

Virtual Peaker’s virtual power plant software for the grid-edge powers the FlexHome Pilot, enabling SMECO to seamlessly enroll and manage the load-shedding capabilities of up to 500 grid-enabled water heaters over the span of the three-year pilot. Utilizing Virtual Peaker’s cutting-edge platform, SMECO can monitor and measure energy reduction performance while improving grid reliability and resilience.

“SMECO’s FlexHome Pilot is a milestone program that illustrates how technology can transform energy management into a powerful peak management asset for utilities and their customers,” said Dr. William Burke, Founder and CEO of Virtual Peaker. “This collaboration with SMECO and ICF is a testament to the power of partnerships in creating scalable solutions that support decarbonization and grid modernization while benefiting residential members directly. We’re thrilled to be part of this pioneering initiative.”

"Since the launch of the SMECO FlexHome Pilot in September 2024 through the end of May 2025, 70 events have been called. These adjustments typically last only a few hours, with little to no impact to members’ comfort. The pilot runs through the end of 2026, and SMECO is excited to share a full report detailing findings at the pilot’s conclusion," said Katherine Jackson, Manager, Flexible Load Management at ICF.

To learn more about Virtual Peaker’s virtual power plant software for the grid-edge, visit virtual-peaker.com/platform.