Collective power, distributed energy, greener grid

In this session we’ll explore how small-scale modular energy generation has the potential to transform us all from energy consumers to energy producers.

Today, we might interact the grid via our electric bill, smart meter, or just turning things on and off. What could the future look like?

We’ll start with a level-setting overview of the grid (mainly US), the organizations & infrastructure that manage the grid, and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), followed by discussion.

You can look forward to unpacking the below + more! Bring your questions and curiosity.

• The ramp up in electrification to move away from fossil fuels is happening alongside a boom in energy-intensive computing, causing massive load growth after decades of flat demand.
• The conventional utility model is centralized, with different groups managing electricity generation, the transmission network, and the distribution network.
• A very large proportion of grid infrastructure in the US is pushing past it’s designed lifetime.
• Solar energy is the cheapest energy that has ever existed!
• Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are technologies that allow small (to medium) scale energy generation and management to happen at the place of consumption. These can be: electric vehicles, batteries, or photovoltaic/solar systems.
• The benefits of DERs include lower cost and greater resiliency in emergency or grid events.
• There is 1+ GW of “balcony solar” aka “plug-in solar” installed in Germany! Nine US state have passed laws to allow this, with another 10 at some stage in the legislative process.