Advanced Energy Perspectives

Here at Advanced Energy Perspectives, we’ve long known that sustainability is a growing priority for major corporations. Fortune 500 companies understand that energy is a part of the cost of doing business, and now with an array new tools from advanced energy companies, it’s an operating expense that’s no longer out of their control. This week, we saw further assurance of that change in corporate structure, specifically with AEE member Microsoft.

Forget March Madness – here at Advanced Energy Perspectives, we’re tracking Merger Madness. In the early days of the build-out of the electrical grid, the utility landscape was ruled by three utility holding companies that controlled almost half of investor-owned utilities across the United States. Last year we asked, “Does merger madness signal the return of the mega-utility?” As public utility commissions across the country consider the outcomes of these mergers, a pattern has emerged: the first attempt at a merger is denied, but the parties are eager for another chance.

Here at AEE, we are riding high following Energy Forward, our annual meeting of corporate members and state and regional partners. We had the advanced energy business braintrust in the room, but advanced energy never stops – not even for our conference! Here’s a selection of recent news from our ever-active member companies.

For those of us who track the advanced energy industry, it’s no surprise that energy storage has been a hot topic of late. Storage has been a huge growth industry, with analysts and advocates alike excited about the prospect of a responsive grid made of “nodes and connections.” Plus, it’s growing by leaps and bounds—we’ll share just how much it’s growing next week, with the release of our Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report. For now, here’s the latest: battery storage using a substance just one atom thick.

Here at Advanced Energy Perspectives, we have known for some time that the utility business model is undergoing a necessary evolution. Utilities have been integrating variable energy resources and starting to incorporate energy storage, advanced metering, demand response, and other advanced energy technologies at an increasing rate, even without national policy forcing their hands. Back in 2014, we said the days of “your grandpa’s utility business model” were over. This week, thanks to a new survey of utility employees, we heard the same thing – right from the horses’ mouths.