Preparing for a Distributed Energy Future: What Can Be Done Today to Integrate DERs Cost Effectively

Distributed energy resources, particularly solar PV, are growing at an unprecedented rate. GTM Research forecasts that the global market for PV will grow threefold by 2020, to a nearly 700 GW cumulative demand market and a 135 GW annual market by 2020.  Assuming that rapid growth is ahead, it is fundamentally important for broader-scale distributed energy market reform to be realized in the future. This, however, is a challenging endeavor that may yet take some time.

While the industry and regulators work through the challenges associated with a new “distributed energy future,” what can be done now, within the existing utility regulatory construct to help integrate additional DERs in a cost-effective, reliable, and equitable manner?

In this engaging and thought-provoking discussion, we will explore the following questions:

• Is a “new distributed future” just around the corner?
• If market reform lags, will the grid start to become a constraint to market demand for DERs?
• How can we better understand actual utility grid limitations?
• Can additional headroom be built into the system in cost effective and reliable ways?
• What can be done within the existing regulatory model to help integrate additional renewables in an equitable manner?