In an era marked by escalating challenges such as extreme weather events, the swift adoption of electric vehicles, and heightened demands from burgeoning sectors of the American economy, the resilience and reliability of our electric grid face unprecedented trials. While traditional grid reinforcement strategies remain essential, the emergence of DER and advanced grid edge technologies introduces a realm of flexible, targeted, and potentially cost-effective solutions for grid operators, regulators, and policymakers.

Policymakers have shown attention to these issues via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, including a substantial $12.5 billion allocation through the GRIP Program, as well as the re-funding of the Canadian Energy Innovation Program – Smart Grid Grants. Given that many of these programs expire in two years, how have the Canadian and U.S. government’s focus on the grid changed? How do DERs and grid edge innovations bolster grid resilience and reliability? Where are these solutions being effectively implemented? And crucially, how can policymakers and regulators navigate the strategic deployment of these technologies to realize resilience and reliability objectives in an ever-evolving landscape?

Join utility experts from Rayburn Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, and Southern California Edison as they delve into these pressing questions and explore evolving flexibility management topics.