AESP Podcasts

Learn about the Energy Storage and how they're working toward a more resilient, efficient sustainable and affordable electricity grid.

Top 3 PROs-pectives from the Pros:

- Right now we’re at about 800 megawatts of energy storage that are online today. We expect in 2018 that total capacity could double, and we expect it to go to 3,500 megawatts by 2025.

- Throughout the United States, because of our market construct, the path to energy storage is different in every region. Every utility will have a role.

- This is going to be a change in our industry like we’ve never seen. And our message is don’t be afraid of that change; embrace it and find out what your specific needs are that can be resolved not just by energy storage, but by the new business models that are arriving.

Dave Bend

Dave Bend works for Nest and focuses on partnerships for Nest. Dave works with energy partners in the U.S. and regulated partners in eastern, mid-Atlantic and southeast U.S. Find out what Nest looks for in a energy partner.

Top 3 PROs-pectives from the Pros:

- The industry will exand access to advanced energy solutions

- At Nest, a core goal is expanding access to the technology

- Nest is reaching out to industry partners to provide smart thermostats to lower income households, goal is to place a Nest thermostat in one million low income homes over the next five years

As the Senior Manager of Utility and Government Rebates at Home Depot, Art recognizes the value of efficient items to their consumer base. The Home Depot partners with over 100 utilities across the country to help enhance energy efficiency programs.

Top 3 PROs-pectives from the Pros:

- The Home Depot partners with utilities and is looking for more partnerships, as a way to drive products into the hands of consumers

- Supporting utilities can be challenging, as each one is different. We want to be the partner that is the easiest to work with in the space

- The Home Depot makes a commitment to its customer base to be convenient and valuable and that promise extends to the partnerships it offers

Learn about marketing to diverse communities, how to connect with them and develop a relationship with them to best meet their needs.

Learn about Michael’s Energy and some of the things Jeff and his team are doing in Iowa.

Top 3 PROs-pectives from the Pros:

- In midwest, there is an over capacity because of renewables, hurting cost effectiveness

- State legislation has implmented a ratepayer impact measure/test

- On average these measures fail

As the energy efficiency program manager for the City of New Orleans’ Office of Resilience and Sustainability, Pollan works in partnership with public and private sector entities to create innovative, practical solutions that cut energy waste, support energy management, and improve energy policies.

Top 3 PROs-pectives from the Pros:

- New Orleans’ housing stock is mostly pre WWII, which creates an opportunity to achieve a lot through energy efficiency

- Utility regulation is handled directly by the city council

- The city works with Entergy on Energy Smart, which grows every year and now includes city-owned buildings

As Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Great Plains Institute, Scott works on issues involving climate strategy and regulatory response; carbon capture, sequestration and usage; and issues involving the changing utility business model.

Top 3 PROs-pectives from the Pros:

- Customer choice is changing the way utilities operate. A whole generation of people can control what they buy from their phone

- Utilities are seeing flat or negative growth, that’s forced them to figure out new revenue streams

- It makes sense for utilities to figure out strategies to adapt; but regulatory models vary from state to state