Virtual Peaker’s Top 5 Blogs of 2022

It’s hard to say that 2022 has been more or less difficult than in recent years. However, it’s safe to say that between a global pandemic and political turmoil the bar for “satisfactory” has been dramatically lowered. Still, utilities struggled to keep their cybersecurity safe, while managing the challenges of a compromised supply chain. Those difficulties led to a frantic summer, as utilities worked to keep up with the increasing demand that follows electrification efforts. So what did we learn? By looking at our top-performing stories of 2022, we can better determine where the industry is headed by what they’re focused on. So before we head into the New Year, let’s take a look at Virtual Peaker’s Top 5 Blogs of 2022.

3 Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS) Models

Right now, the distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) market is projected to hit $1.33b USD by 2028, and there is a simple reason behind that: aggregating distributed energy resources (DERs) has become a practical and regulatory necessity. It made sense then that our article exploring variations in DERMS models made Virtual Peaker’s top 5 blogs of 2022. We don’t want to spoil the article for you (you ought to read it!), but suffice it to say, we highlight three types of DERMS, what they mean for your utility operation, and what your alternatives might be. Looking to up your demand flexibility or DER programs? Read on!

WHICH DERMS COULD HELP YOU RIGHT NOW?

What Does EV Telematics Mean for EV Load Management?

With the electric vehicle (EV) market exploding, our blog exploring EV telematics and load management proved an unsurprising addition to Virtual Peaker’s top 5 blogs of 2022. So what is EV telematics and why does it matter? Well, we had a blog on that too, but in short, it’s a data analytics feature that helps utility programs better address their managed charging strategies in a way that best serves customers. Because the automotive industry has been tasked with increasing EV production to account for half of all vehicles by 2030, EV telematics has the potential to radically reshape your EV charging strategies. But don’t take my word for it.

HOW CAN EV TELEMATICS HELP YOU?

How the Gravity Connect® API Enhances OEMs & DERMS Integrations

One of the best things about working at a technology company is watching innovative minds plan today for a problem that many people have likely never even thought of. So when we created the Gravity Connect® API, I was so excited. We all were! Gravity Connect is an API designed to replace OpenADR while dramatically expediting the connection between OEMs and DERMS simply and affordably. After you read this entry into Virtual Peaker’s top 5 blogs of 2022, you can get a little deeper into the weeds here. For now though…

HERE’S HOW THE GRAVITY CONNECT API CAN HELP YOU LAUNCH YOUR PROGRAM QUICKLY

What are Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS)?

Although I was once asked which day of the week Good Friday fell on, I still believe there is no such thing as a bad question. Especially in an industry so dense with acronyms and fresh innovations, just keeping up with what everything means and why it should matter to any electric utility is daunting. Since our article defining types of DERMS received so much attention this year, it makes perfect sense that our term-defining blog on the same subject would also make Virtual Peaker’s Top 5 Blogs of 2022.

LEARN ALL ABOUT DERMS

What is a Virtual Power Plant?

Another buzzword in the utility industry, interest in virtual power plants has taken off. Again, considering the current and growing volume of personal DER ownership, virtual power plants offer a great opportunity for utilities looking to enhance grid resiliency, lower energy costs, and enhance customer satisfaction all at once. We’re especially fond of virtual power plants, not only because that’s where our name comes from, but also because as a community effort, VPPs mirror our commitment to friendliness and inclusivity. From the just energy transition to our day-to-day operations, we believe that together we can make tomorrow a little brighter, and virtual power plants are the technological embodiment of that commitment.

SO WHAT IS A VIRTUAL POWER PLANT & HOW CAN IT HELP?

Conclusion: Virtual Peaker’s Top 5 Blogs of 2022

As always, we’re excited at our opportunities to connect with our partners, new, old, and soon-to-be. Is our blog covering everything you’d hope for? Are there ways we can make your reading experience better? Consider taking our State of DERs survey below, to see where the industry is and where it might head next. In the meantime, watch out for more content designed to help utilities build the grid of tomorrow today!