Everything-to-grid energy among the emerging technologies of 2026

The World Economic Forum named everything-to-grid energy among the top ten emerging technologies of 2026: cars, buildings and equipment that store energy and return it at peaks. The reposted video shows batteries idle in driveways in the early evening and software that pools them into a virtual power plant.

The Forum's example is Australia, with more than 180,000 home batteries added in the second half of 2025. Behind it is public money: the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, since July 2025, takes 30% off the upfront cost of solar-linked batteries, passed 507,000 installations in August 2026 and saw its budget raised to AU$7.2 billion over four years.

Who pays for the battery comes before the technology. The Forum's report notes it is unclear whether value will go to owners, aggregators, utilities or system operators, and cites degradation and warranties as brakes.

Australia shows that an upfront subsidy speeds installation. Payment for grid services is what turns the equipment into a system resource. First the battery is paid for. Then what it delivers is paid for.