Electric demand is set to grow significantly over the next decade, but the topline numbers only tell part of the story, according to ICF’s new report.
Once viewed as an insurance policy against outages, onsite power is becoming a business strategy to speed projects, lower costs and protect investment.
The growing use of onsite energy could create a shadow grid operating outside the reach of electric utilities, says report.
Robert Cross of Outfit argues that distributed energy resources have become an “irresistible force” colliding with the “immovable object” of the traditional utility business model
With its use of distributed power plants, the island offers a lesson on how the mainland grid can survive the age of AI.
Michael Lee, founder of Distributed Grid, says the cost-of-service model is increasingly out of step with today’s grid realities. He argues for a distributed grid where utilities are paid for outcomes such as affordability, reliability and speed to power, rather than for expanding rate base.
By creating virtual power plants, tech companies can give something back to the community and maybe ease some of the opposition to data centers.
Local solar, batteries, EVs and virtual power plants aren’t sideshows. They’re becoming core grid resources.
The proposed NextEra–Dominion merger could create a distribution powerhouse as data centers, microgrids and customer-sited energy begin reshaping the electric system.
Three grid experts say the US needs a new blueprint to fix its power system, one that creates energy abundance from the bottom up.