ISpotted: As energy demand rises and grids struggle to keep up with rapid electrification, extreme weather, and growing energy use, households are facing higher bills and increasing power instability. Traditional grids were built for one-way energy flow (from large power plants to consumers), but today’s renewable energy systems, made up of intermittent sources, require something far more flexible.
US-based startup Lunar Energy is tackling this challenge by turning homes into active participants in the energy system. Its integrated home battery platform combines hardware and AI-powered software to store electricity, optimise energy use, and connect thousands of homes into coordinated virtual power plants (VPPs).
Unlike standard home batteries that simply store solar energy for later use, Lunar’s system continuously learns each household’s energy patterns. Its Gridshare software automatically decides when to store power, use it, or send it back to the grid, which helps stabilise electricity networks while lowering household costs. Customers can even earn income by allowing their stored energy to support the grid during peak demand.
What makes Lunar Energy’s approach unique is its fully integrated model. By designing both the battery hardware and intelligent optimisation software together, the company enables homes to operate collectively as distributed energy infrastructure rather than isolated systems.
The idea is inspired by a growing recognition that the energy transition cannot rely on large-scale infrastructure alone. As renewable generation expands, flexibility at the household level is becoming just as important as new power plants.
Following a combined $232 million series C and D funding raise, Lunar Energy plans to expand deployments across the US while scaling its AI-driven VPP platform globally. Ultimately, the company aims to help build a future where millions of connected homes form a cleaner, more resilient energy network, transforming consumers into contributors to the grid.