Electricity demand is rising fast, and utilities are looking for new ways to add capacity without waiting years for traditional grid upgrades. Distributed energy resources (DERs) are becoming an increasingly important part of that equation. In this episode of Power Perspectives, Energy Central’s Matt Chester sits down with Todd Jackson of PowerSecure to explore how utilities are using DERs to manage peak demand, support large loads like data centers, improve resilience during extreme weather, and gain more flexibility in how they invest in the grid. They also discuss what makes a successful utility DER program, why customer participation matters, and how distributed resources could play a much bigger role as electricity demand continues to grow. Thank you to PowerSecure for partnering with us on this episode.

Why Utilities Are Turning to DERs as Power Demand Surges

Energy Central

The debate really is what are the types of energy resources that can be used in programs. As DERs grow, how do you see utilities and communities alike adopting them in the next several years? Let's look at it from the customer's perspective first. There's more ups and downs on the grid zone than there ever were before. It doesn't matter who actually owns the asset, but they do have to be firm assets. Serving peak demand is expensive for some utilities.

There's more utilities than I've ever seen in the last 10 years that are in various stages of launching a DER further. Electricity demand is growing faster than the grid can keep up. From data centers and large industrial loads to new economic development, utilities are constantly being asked to add capacity, maintain reliability, and support their communities. And customers are demanding that happens while their rates are kept in check.

This is all no small feat, and utilities need all the tools available to make that happen. Distributed energy resources are increasingly being tapped as one of the most important parts of that toolbox, but it requires utilities to rethink how they approach DERs. So in this episode, we're going to talk about why DERs are becoming an increasingly valuable part of that utility toolbox. We explore how they can provide flexible capacity, help manage peak demand and system constraints, strengthen customer and community resilience, and complement traditional grid investments.

We're also going to discuss what successful utility-led DER programs look like, how utilities can create value for both the grid and participating customers, and where microgrids and other distributed resources fit as electricity demand continues to accelerate. Stay tuned.

Why Utilities Are Turning to DERs as Power Demand Surges

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

Why Utilities Are Turning to DERs as Power Demand Surges

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.