Google has struck a deal with Voltus to help pay for a virtual power plant in the US's largest grid. This plant will aggregate devices like EVs and smart thermostats, paying customers to reduce their energy use during peak times.

The idea is that data centers can help ease pressure on the grid by temporarily reducing their consumption. But with incentives unclear and public opposition growing, success remains uncertain.

Previous studies show low participation rates in similar programs: only 1% of EV owners signed up for managed charging despite financial rewards. This highlights the challenge of convincing people to sacrifice control over their energy use.

The deal is part of a broader strategy by tech giants to address their growing energy demands, but as Michael Terrell from Google noted, there are limits on how flexible data centers can be.