Flexible Grid Technologies | Ep. 1 — Unlocking the Potential of Distributed Energy Resources

CLEAResult Energetics is launching the Flexible Grid Technologies webinar series, a monthly series for utilities, regulators, and state energy offices working on the front lines of the energy transition. Episode one, "Unlocking the Potential of Distributed Energy Resources," tackles the most urgent question in energy right now: how do we meet exploding grid demand without breaking the rate base? Power prices on the largest U.S. grid jumped 76% in the first quarter of 2026, data center demand is on track to nearly triple by 2030, and more than 2,060 gigawatts of generation and storage are stuck in the interconnection queue. The episode features Jigar Shah, former director of the DOE Loan Programs Office, who deployed $108 billion in clean energy financing, was named to the 2024 TIME100, and co-founded Multiplier after founding SunEdison; Wyeth Atchison, senior growth director at CLEAResult and an expert in demand response, distributed energy resources, and virtual power plants; Bob Gemmer of CLEAResult Energetics, who brings more than 45 years of experience in industrial energy and combined heat and power, including time at the DOE; and host Kiran Srivastava, senior director at CLEAResult Energetics. This episode answers the questions utilities, regulators, and state energy offices are asking right now: What does a DER strategy that works look like for a utility operating under real regulatory and budget constraints? How does faster DER deployment break the cycle of rising rates and translate to lower costs for customers? What does it take to turn industrial self-generation into a reliable, dispatchable grid asset, and why has that potential remained largely untapped? Which DERs are most valuable under different grid conditions, and how do they work together? What is the most common mistake utilities make in program design, and what does getting it right look like? What is the single most important action utilities, regulators, or state energy offices should take in the next 12 months? CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 1:09 Webinar start 1:32 Speaker introductions 4:02 Setting the stage — grid pressure points 10:38 DERs as the answer — building a DER strategy 17:42 DERs as the answer — rate affordability 20:26 DERs as the answer — industrial self-generation 23:58 Program design & policy — DER value by grid condition 33:08 Program design & policy — common mistakes in program design 43:00 Looking ahead — the one action to take now 46:21 Live Q&A ABOUT THE SERIES Flexible Grid Technologies is a monthly webinar series hosted by CLEAResult Energetics for utilities, regulators, and state energy offices exploring how distributed energy resources can be practically deployed to manage load growth, improve grid reliability, and lower costs for customers. ABOUT CLEAResult ENERGETICS CLEAResult Energetics is the sustainability consulting practice of CLEAResult, working with utilities, government agencies, and industry partners on energy transition, transportation electrification, grid modernization, and sustainability initiatives. Our team helps utilities, regulators, and state energy offices design and deploy distributed energy resource programs that ease grid demand and control costs for customers. Contact CLEAResult Energetics to talk through a DER strategy or program design for your organization. LINKS Learn more about CLEAResult Energetics: https://www.clearesult.com/capabiliti... Follow CLEAResult Energetics on LinkedIn:   / energetics