Important concepts

Our data model was built so that one API could fit all types of VPPs.

Site

A site is an end-user's home. It has an address, a utility contract, and one or more devices.

Device

A device is a single entity that can be controlled independently to provide services to the grid. For instance, a single battery controlled through an inverter count as one device. Similarly, two stacked batteries that cannot be controlled independently count as one device. On the other hand, two batteries which can receive separate inputs count as two devices.

Commissioning

Commissioning is the process of creating the site and devices on Flip's servers.

Program

A program is the construct that utilities created, in other words the VPP, which end-users can participate in to earn money. There are multiple programs across the US, tied with specific utilities or electricity markets, each with their own rules and requirements.

Enrollment

Enrolling is the act of signing up to participate in a VPP program. An enrollment is therefore the relation between a set of devices plus their site, and a program.

Event

When a utility needs power to be provided to the grid, they call an event. It contains a specific set of instructions (a schedule) as well as start and end times.

Telemetry

Telemetry is the monitoring data that is produced by the device.

Command

A command is the final set of instructions that the device should use to operate for a specific event.

Webhook

A webhook is a machine-to-machine notification that is sent from Flip's servers to yours and can be used to learn about changes to the data.