Energy storage firm Tesla and Vermont utility Green Mountain Power are introducing backup power to homes for the next 10 years at the cost of $15 a month, or a one-time fee of $1500.

The new initiative is set to take out the need for conventional, manually-controlled backup generators that run on fossil fuel.

Tesla says that the next step to tap energy storage potential is by bringing thousands of batteries together to make an energy network which electric utilities can use to deliver instant value for the system.

For this purpose, Tesla will combine its energy storing Powerwall and Powerpack batteries for the first time into a single resource of shared energy.

Powerpacks will be installed by Green Mountain Power on utility land and also deploy up to 2,000 Powerwall batteries to customers in its service territory. This, in turn is expected to facilitate more renewable energy and enhance grid efficiency.

Tesla said: “The Green Mountain Power program is just the beginning. Tesla is working with energy retailers, grid operators, utilities and aggregators across the globe to unlock the ability for Tesla batteries to deliver grid services while providing reliable power at all times of day.”

Tesla and Green Mountain Power will also offer a range of grid services using the network of Powerwall batteries that are installed. The result is likely to be dynamic capacity with energy reserves dispatched when needed most along with additional grid stability while reducing energy costs sustainably for customers.

Both partners will deliver the combined resource into the wholesale electricity markets in New England, thereby creating additional savings for customers staying in the area.

Tesla said that while the speed of deployment of its batteries continues to grow, it can scale the adoption of renewable energy and modernize the aging infrastructure in a cost-effective manner to boost the electric grid’s resilience.

Image: For $15 a month, households can receive backup power for 10 years from the Tesla-Green Mountain Power program. Photo: courtesy of Tesla.