Electricity demand can surge during extreme temperatures, putting additional pressure on power grids. US utilities are increasingly turning to customers themselves to help manage those peaks. Oracle says its utility programs have delivered a record 1 gigawatt (GW) of peak demand reduction across North America in 2026.

The company’s Opower platform supported 73 demand response events across winter and summer. Those efforts involved 4.3 million customers across participating utilities. The total demand reduction equals the output of more than three peaker power plants in Washington state.

Oracle’s Opower platform uses behavioral demand response (BDR) and peak-time rebate (PTR) programs. These initiatives encourage households to shift electricity consumption during periods of high demand. Customers can receive personalized messages explaining when and how to reduce their usage.

The approach also expands virtual power plants (VPPs) beyond households with connected devices. Utilities can draw on participating customers’ flexible electricity consumption to reduce pressure on the grid. Some programs also offer financial rewards for reducing usage during designated peak periods.

Oracle reported that utilities conducted 73 events in 2026, compared with 49 last year. That represents an increase of nearly 50%. Average peak demand savings reached 16,592 kilowatts per event, equivalent to the peak electricity needs of approximately 4,150 homes.

Customer participation also climbed significantly. The programs reached 4.3 million customers, up from 3.3 million in 2025.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has incorporated Oracle’s BDR program into its virtual power plant strategy. Its Flex Events initiative uses customer communications to encourage temporary reductions in electricity consumption.

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