Utility 2.0 and the Dynamic Microgrid
Superstorm disruption calls for a new utility architecture.
When microgrids are optimized in a smart grid, they’ll usher in a new era of utility resilience and flexibility. Get ready for dynamic microgrids.
Distributed Generation & Microgrids
Productivity Plateau
A mature industry faces a worrying round of hype.
Are we languishing, or working off a 20th-century legacy? Gartner’s hype cycle suggests the latter, as new technologies start producing value.
Taming Distributed Energy
How advanced distribution management systems are key to integrating distributed resources.
Fast growing distributed resources create technical challenges for utilities. Advanced DMS technology promises to help keep local grids balanced.
Disruption on Wall Street
Financial executives contemplate the rise of distributed resources.
In a January 2013 report, EEI said fast-growing distributed energy could undermine the utility business model. Wall Street is paying attention.
Valuing Distributed Storage
A complex business case calls for sophisticated modeling.
Flexible energy storage systems are costly, but a unique set of benefits makes them attractive. Realistic valuation supports a storage business case.
Low Tech Resilience
Portable small-scale generators could keep vital services on line during a major power outage.
High-voltage generation reserves cost more than would portable, small-scale units to keep critical services on line during a major power outage.
Making Friends with Solar DG
Better to compete from within than fight from afar.
Utilities should embrace distributed solar generation, offering O&M, aggregation, or marketing services, rather than lament a lost business model.
Final Report for Assessment of Visibility and Control Options for Distributed Energy Resources
KEMA, Inc., (supported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Energy Exemplar LLC (owners of PLEXOS production cost software); hereinafter referred to as the “KEMA Team”) provide this report to evaluate the market and operational impacts, and quantify the benefits and cost associated with gaining visibility and control of projected Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in California.
Cycle of Innovation
IEEE revisits interconnection standards for DG, microgrids, and smart grid.
IEEE considers new standards for grid interconnection of distributed generation, even as market innovation alters the playing field.
Threat From Behind the Meter
The case for utilities to compete directly with distributed resources.
Behind-the-meter energy threatens the utility business model. Does history offer a lesson for crafting a response?