"Residential air-conditioning is the peak load problem, and we're able to tackle the load-shifting in a very automated way, " says Matt Rogers, Nest's engineering VP.
Stanway's traders are buying power in load blocks of 250 to 300 megawatts--enough current to keep the air-conditioning and lights on at more than 200 superstores, depending on the weather (and enough to power 250, 000 homes).