Daniel Herscovici’s Post

If I had a dollar every time I heard that first generation AMI didn't deliver on its promise of measurable customer benefits - I'd have a lot of dollars. There were 2 fundamental issues: (1) first generation AMI meters were essentially just data collection devices and; (2) a broadly 'play-it-safe' policy landscape. Issue 1 is well on its way to being solved. Utilities like National Grid are rolling out meters capable of running real-time applications with access to continuously streaming waveform data. On issue number 2, Massachusetts has a big opportunity to be THE national example. I’m proud of the work we’re doing at Sense to promote this vision.

In this week's note at SMS, we explore how the development of reliable EV charging infrastructure could transform it into a stable, long-term investment opportunity within the infrastructure asset class. Want to know more? Sign-up for a free trial. Link in the comments.

“I’m often asked if there is a magic number for the number of public charging stations we need in the United States. That’s a very difficult question to answer since so much of having an adequate charging infrastructure is predicated on the number of EVs on the road, access to home charging, use cases, etc.,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of J.D. Power’s EV practice, to Yahoo Finance. “Instead, I look at the number of charging ports in terms of how well they’re satisfying EV owners with their availability.” Gruber notes that while the number of charging ports in the US is growing, satisfaction with the availability of chargers is mixed. J.D. Power’s latest survey found satisfaction with DC fast charging availability rose by 20 points year over year (from 673 to 693), though the much more prevalent and less powerful Level 2 charger availability fell (from 593 to 583). “With the satisfaction levels for both categories being as low as they are, we’re certainly not yet at the level we need,” Gruber said.

At PA I've been lucky enough to consult on several investments in the #vpp space and the opportunity is, indeed massive. This report provides some further context to the scale of what VPPs could represent - a huge percent of peak capacity and massive value to customers. The trick as always is recognizing the value of VPPs. This will require innovative business models, sales channel strategies, effective policy, and enabling technology. Personally I think this potential goes far beyond a simple smart thermostat. The opportunity with distributed #solar and #energystorage eclipses simple load control in terms of potential value, both grid-wide and locational. Monetizing this value remains a key hurdle in the quest towards the numbers this report suggests. Reach out if you'd like to discuss in more detail! https://lnkd.in/evZJ_j-p

More OEMs are producing Low/No emissions equipment More providers are adding Low/No emissions equipment to their fleets More crew are getting the opportunity to trial Low/No emissions equipment on set There's a momentum building here.

Interconnection and its associated hangups are slowing down how quickly we can get renewables onto the grid. David Bromberg and Pearl Street Technologies are on a mission to undo the queue: https://lnkd.in/eHyyhXDF

The power to change the energy landscape is literally at our fingertips—and in our living rooms. I've always seen smart thermostats as the gateway to Virtual Power Plants. Here’s why: 1. They present a low barrier to entry compared to other DERS e.g. are $129 - $279 and can be DIY'd 2. They are equally useful for renters and homeowners 3. They offer continuous engagement opportunities for utilities, aggregators, OEMs, and more 4. Most of their benefits require they remain connected to wifi e.g. remain dispatchable The real kicker? One in five households already has a smart thermostat installed. This means there is a vast reservoir of "potential energy" already present in homes, ready to be tapped into. This existing base can be leveraged more effectively and with greater ease than the efforts required to drive fresh adoption of DERs. Smart thermostats not only regulate your home temperature but also serve as critical nodes in a larger network that contributes to grid stability and efficiency. They are not just about individual comfort but are pivotal in shaping a sustainable energy future. Let's recognize and harness this potential to accelerate the development of VPPs like Renew Home, transforming passive homes into active energy participants.

Charging toward a new future: How a Wells Fargo collaboration could help accelerate the adoption of EVs. Read more about the new charging solution: https://bit.ly/3Pgs4Pd

Attention EV Charging Service Providers - Are you struggling to navigate site acquisition and diligence in the U.S. for your charging hubs? Are zoning and land use getting in your way? Do you need help efficiently contracting for software, equipment, site development, construction, and interconnection? If so, we would love to hear from you. Our EV Charging Legal Support Team is continually working to find the most efficient and lowest risk strategies to get sites designed, interconnected, and built quickly. Electrifying the U.S. transport sector is going to take a village - actually, thousands of villages - and timing and location are everything for building sites and maximizing utilization.

It is important to get this capacity into the market quickly to provide more tools to help manage the grid at a 90% lower cost to consumers than the preferred expensive approach.