Google’s smart home division has joined a group of companies including Ford, Sunpower and Sunrun in founding a new partnership centred around scaling the market for virtual power plants (VPP).

Automotive giant General Motors has launched a new division providing energy storage and energy management solutions.

Car marker General Motors says it will underpin its 2015 drive for 100% reliance on renewable energy sources with its expertise in energy storage, and its expansion of solar and wind installations.