DOE’s report also highlights the value of virtual power plant software that can control distributed energy resources — a term that includes systems using rooftop solar plus batteries, electric vehicles, and EV chargers, as well as smart thermostats and appliances that can adjust when they use electricity — to help balance the grid. A previous DOE “Liftoff” report found that virtual power plants could meet 10 to 20 percent of peak grid demand across the U.S. by 2030.