Thank you for checking out the Energy Management Network Community Manager digest. This piece compiles important articles that concern different elements of energy efficiency, demand management, and grid flexibility. The articles referred to in this piece are just a small smattering of the content posted on Energy Central, so make sure to check the rest of the site.
Get to Know Your Community Members - This Month's Member Spotlight
What sets Energy Central apart from other online industry outlets is the true community-level feel. To highlight that aspect, this spot each month will feature a quick profile of one of your fellow Community Members for you to get to know and inspire you to reach out to them: leave a comment on their recent Energy Central content, follow their profile, and build a new connection in the industry!
Name and Title: Danny Pugh, Account Manager, D+R International
Topics of Focus: Energy efficiency, Demand response
Recent Energy Central Contributions of Note:
Top Content This Month
Adaptive Reuse Poses Energy Efficiency Dilemmas -- Here are 5 Sustainable solutions by Emily Newton
Adaptive reuse can breathe new life into old buildings, but it often comes with tough energy efficiency trade-offs. This article outlines five sustainable solutions to help balance historic preservation with modern performance goals.
"Today’s buildings are far more sustainable than those of yesteryear, but new construction is not always the most eco-friendly option. Demolishing an old structure and erecting a new one involves considerable energy consumption and material waste."
Read the full article and leave a comment or question for the author here
Widespread Automation Defeat TOU Benefits by Ravi Seethapathy
As smart home automation becomes more widespread, the synchronized use of appliances—often triggered by time-of-use (TOU) pricing—can inadvertently create new peak demand challenges. This article explores how the very technologies designed to optimize energy consumption might be undermining the benefits of TOU strategies and what utilities can do to adapt.
"Since October 2018, I have written several articles on energy efficiency and prudent load management. Here, I examine why too much automation actually works against an efficient distribution system and TOU benefits."
Read the full article and leave a comment or question for the author here
How Demand Flexibility Programs Meet Rising Demand (In Spite of the Supply Chain) by Syd Bishop
As the U.S. grid faces mounting pressure from AI-driven demand and aging infrastructure, demand flexibility programs like demand response and virtual power plants offer a cost-effective alternative to costly upgrades. This article explores how utilities can leverage existing distributed energy resources to meet rising energy needs despite supply chain constraints and escalating material costs.
"The U.S. energy sector faces unprecedented challenges in meeting rising demand driven by increased and energy-hungry AI and data center deployments, electrification, and supply chain efforts. Resolving these challenges will require innovative deployments of demand flexibility initiatives and an enormous investment of capital."
Read the full article and leave a comment or question for the author here
Recent Q&A in the Community
Q: When customers come to you asking how they can cut their energy costs, what do you suggest? [National Cut Your Energy Costs Day]
Read submitted answers and or add your own!
Q: In addition to reducing customers energy bills, has anyone estimated the value proposition of having VPPs participate in ancillary services markets?
Read submitted answers and or add your own!
Relevant Recent Episodes of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast
Thank you for reading!
Make sure you are getting the most out of the Energy Central Community:
- Explore our 6 Networks covering all aspects of the power industry.
- Join community groups within the Networks, use the "Join Now" Button found on upper right of each community group.
- Subscribe to tailored newsletters for your information needs.
- Engage in lively discussions, ask questions, and share your expertise within our Networks.
- Check out our upcoming events, webinars, and workshops calendar. Access our calendar here
- Read or participate in Special Issue editions.
- Tune into our PowerPerspectives Podcast series for expert insights.
We look forward to seeing you in the Energy Central community!