The cost and performance of distributed energy resources (DERs) have improved faster than anyone would have expected. Between 2010 and 2017, residential rooftop solar system costs fell over 60%, and lithium-ion battery prices fell 79%. Inverter prices have also fallen, while their functionality has improved in ways that enable the integration of higher penetrations of […]
Planning for a Distributed Energy Future
We surveyed utility executives, customers, and regulators. Here’s what they had to say. Utilities are beginning to accommodate renewable energies, but many wonder if it is enough to keep up with consumer demand and prepare for new regulations. Utility executives report solar has the biggest impact on their operations while regulators report a wider range […]
Sowing the Seeds of Grid Interoperability
By Christine Stearn and Tim Wolf “Plug-and-Play DER Challenge” Seeks Industry Solutions to Address Technology Silos The nation’s power grid is undergoing more disruptive change than at any point since its inception more than a century ago. The proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) and new models of customer engagement have added significant complexity. Simultaneously, […]