Note: This post has been re-published following website refresh
San Francisco, CA – February 26, 2024 – Evolve’s Distributed Energy Diamond (DED) framework illustrates the key processes, software solutions, and customer-facing programs required to manage and orchestrate the charging and discharging of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Stationary Batteries. The framework encompasses transportation electrification, site energy management, and grid-supportive energy services.
We are strategically focused on the integration of the DERs into Grid Operations. “Integrating mobile batteries (EVs), fixed batteries, and solar into our energy mix is crucial for creating a genuine intersection between clean energy and clean transportation.” said Ted Pelecky, Founder & Managing Partner of Evolve Technologies. “It’s an inside industry joke amongst consultants that there is “wheel diagram” for anything and everything. We wanted to break the mold. We have developed to Distributed Energy Diamond to re-shape the industry dialog, while provide context to the work we do, and the services we offer.”
At the center of the diamond are the emerging Flexibility Markets & Programs. While bulk energy wholesale markets have been established for decades, the “markets” for distributed energy resources are still evolving. In the coming years, we expect utility-sponsored distribution flexibility pilots to evolve into full-fledged programs, an in some cases central markets. Over time centrally operated flexibility markets will become more tightly integrated with traditional bulk energy markets.
The blue arrows connect and illustrate how Distributed Energy Resources will participate in Flexibility Markets & Programs, along with importance of aligning flexibility services to Grid Operation’s needs. The green arrows illustrate the role of Load Shaping & Demand Response technologies on flexibility markets and programs, as well as the speed of the Planning and Interconnection processes.
The four points of the diamond represent critical functions across the distributed energy ecosystem. The Grid Operations diamond encompasses all the utility functions that ensure reliable delivery of energy to customers. Grid operators will be called on execute load management programs and the orchestration of distributed energy resources. The Load Shaping, Demand Response diamond focuses on technologies that help to shape loads behind-the-meter, inclusive of traditional Demand Response programs but expanded to include Managed Charging and Site Energy Management, enabled through Bidirectional Charging. The Load Serving, Independent DER diamond focuses on entities acting as distributed energy aggregators. The role of these entities is to provide energy services back to the grid operator, through a flexibility market or program. The Planning & Interconnection diamond represents a shared function between regulators, utilities, DER operators and permitting agencies. The core function of this diamond is to expedite the planning and interconnection process in a manner that yields grid flexibility, reliability, and safety. The green pathways that connect the four diamonds serve to further annotate, critical capabilities needed to integrate distributed energy resources into grid operations.
To provide feedback on our Distributed Energy Diamond framework, please contact us.
About Evolve Technologies
Evolve Technologies is a purpose-driven company, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our mission is to “Transform the way we Move and Power our World”. We provide advisory and innovation services to leading utilities, DER operators, market operators and independent technology providers. We architect Strategies & Solutions for the Electric Economy.
Contact: info@evolvetechnologies.ai
Website: www.evolvetechnologies.ai
