This is your SolarWakeup for February 27th, 2023

The Grid Needs Help It Slows Down. Grids have transitions on both ends of the wire, demand and generation. They increasingly have to deal with more volatile weather events and consumer behaviors that have led to economies being slowed because access for new customers is limited, like data centers not finding ways to connect to the infrastructure. So why, on the other hand, do grids take so long to figure out how to get through queues and provide approvals to the upgrades and generation they so badly need? Why does it take energy storage years to get approved for connection? We not only need modernization in the infrastructure but the bureaucracy that runs the wires.

Your Day 2 Partner. Solar, wind, batteries. They all have a need that we rarely, if ever, talk about; the day 2 customer service hotline. Once the system is built, who are you calling on day 2? How do you fix the little problem or troubleshoot the issues that show up as you manage an asset you spent hundreds of millions of dollars on? Wait and see but my prediction is that we’re going to talk a lot about your day 2 partner, the hotline that helps you maximize the return on your investment.

The Operating System. Like about a thousand other energy storage professionals came together at the Energy Storage Summit. Energy storage has a ton of focus on the DC block (the box that houses the battery) and how you make money (the gird pricing signals) but not much in between. So, I appreciate Trina’s focus on highlighting, arguably the most important part of the system (the operating system), the EMS platform that runs the battery in conjunction with the controls. This operating system tells you what’s going on with your system and then makes sure the battery does what the grid and/or trader wants it to do. In short, the EMS is the most important thing asset owners need to keep the batteries working but also consider that you don’t buy your solar operating system from your module manufacturer either…

Cybersecurity You Need, And May Be Required To Upgrade For. Cybersecurity is the bulk power system topic (and DER topic) that is also going to eat up quite a bit of our 2023 dialogue. It’s a matter of time until you’ll be asked to upgrade to improve your asset’s security protocols and compliance with those regulations could cause issues that reduce your revenue stream. Expect the same to happen in residential virtual power plants as well, in order to participate, you’ll need to be in compliance.

The Lender You Can Depend On. In a market that is full of uncertainty, you can rely on Dividend Finance to bring you white glove service to help you reach your long-term goals. Apply Here

Opinion

Best, Yann