Irish virtual power plant developer VIOTAS opens office in Texas
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Limerick-based smart grid technology firm VIOTAS has opened an office in Texas, their first in the US, to support ERCOT’s power grid with technology that enables large customers to resolve grid imbalances with AI.
The new office, VIOTAS Texas LLC, has been opened in Houston, marking a strategic milestone for the company, allowing them to partake in the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) Ancillary Services Market.
Headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, VIOTAS develops and deploys virtual power plants (VPPs) that enable large electricity customers to get paid for balancing the power grid through automatic load control.
The VPPs, monitored and managed from an operations centre in Limerick, uses AI forecasting and trading capabilities to address complex markets.
By using this to help grid operators balance the grid, fewer traditional power plants are required and a greater amount of renewable energy can be used.
The company now operates in Ireland, Australia and Texas, bringing its proprietary technologies and engineering expertise to global markets.
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Commenting in a release was ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason: “I am delighted to celebrate the launch of VIOTAS Texas, marking an important milestone in the company’s international journey.
“The establishment of this business in Houston underscores not only VIOTAS’ commitment to innovation and growth but also the strength of the enduring business ties between Ireland and the United States.
“As an Irish company at the forefront of smart grid technology solutions, VIOTAS is bringing leading-edge technology and expertise to Texas, further enhancing collaboration between our two nations. I look forward to seeing the positive impact VIOTAS will make in the US energy market, and I congratulate the entire team on this significant achievement.”
Said Dr. Paddy Finn, co-founder, CEO and CTO of VIOTAS: “Texas is experiencing rapid economic growth, and a modernised power system is essential to fully unlock this potential. As Texas transitions to more renewable energy, electricity consumers will play an increasingly vital role in maintaining grid balance and stability.
“VIOTAS enables this flexibility in milliseconds, not minutes—maximizing revenue for participating consumers while ensuring a reliable power grid for all. Texas’s ERCOT has long been recognized as a global leader in electricity market innovation, and we are excited to contribute to this next phase of progress.”
Added co-founder and commercial director of VIOTAS, Duncan O’Toole: “We are incredibly proud to bring VIOTAS’ innovative solutions to Texas, a milestone that reflects our team’s expertise and dedication.
“Texas and Ireland share unique characteristics in their electricity systems, both functioning as island grids with ambitious renewable energy goals. Building on our successes in Ireland and, more recently, Australia, we’re excited to apply our expertise in the ERCOT market, tackling challenges and capitalizing on opportunities within this complex landscape.
“We see an immediate need for Load Resources in ERCOT to be actively and dynamically managed with real- and near-time trading of available load to maximise returns for participants. We look forward to forging strong partnerships that enhance the stability and resilience of the power grid, bringing our cutting-edge technology to meet future challenges in ERCOT.”
VIOTAS’ move into the Texan market comes as the Lone Star State experiences rapid population growth. Earlier this year in June, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas told the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce that by 2030, peak demand could nearly double to 150GW.
This escalating demand places significant stress on the ERCOT market, making grid flexibility critical, especially as renewable energy capacity continues to expand and more data centres come online.
