Destined to collide: The intersection of solar, DR and smart grid

November 11, 2015 | By

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid (ADS) are joining forces, becoming one organization under the SEPA banner.

Credit: Digital Vision

The announcement follows SEPA's recent move to expand its mission from a focus on utility integration of only large-scale and distributed solar to a broader view, including a suite of distributed energy resources -- from demand response and storage to microgrids, electric vehicles and other smart-grid technologies.

"It became apparent to the boards of both organizations earlier this year that by working more closely, as a single organization, we could better serve the needs of all our members," said Steve Malnight, senior vice president for Regulatory Affairs at Pacific Gas and Electric, and SEPA board chair. "By leveraging the considerable strengths of both groups, we will be able to participate in the evolution of the electricity business in even more meaningful ways."

ADS member companies will now be part of a growing roster of more than 1,000 utilities, technology vendors, project developers, government agencies and other energy stakeholder organizations in the SEPA network.

"The mission of ADS will remain alive and well at SEPA," added Howard Smith, manager of Distributed Energy Resource Policy at Southern Company Services, who has chaired the ADS board.  "All our board members will transition to a new SEPA Advisory Board on Demand Response and Smart Grid, which will work closely with SEPA staff. Three individuals who served on the ADS Board of Directors will now sit on the SEPA Board of Directors."

A rebranding effort is planned for early 2016, including a name change that reflects the organization's expanded mission.

"The issues and interests of solar, demand response and the smart grid will only become more intertwined as we move forward," said Julia Hamm, SEPA president and CEO. "With the strength of ADS added into the fold, SEPA can forge new opportunities to create an extended community, which will, in turn, produce the data and insights necessary for our industry to thrive as we transition to an increasingly clean and decentralized grid."   

For more:
- read this article

© 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex, LLC. All rights reserved.

http://www.smartgridnews.com/story/destined-collide-intersection-solar-dr-and-smart-grid/2015-11-11