Description of need

As a utility (e.g. SCE), I can’t possibly build all the network that will be needed fast enough.” If I don’t succeed, the region won’t meet its decarbonization objectives and SCE will be blamed for it. Political backlash. Reduction in ROE. And I’ll be failing to take advantage of revenue growth.

Problem severity (1-10)

8

Who has this need

Power utilities in the US

Total addressable market (TAM)

Solutions today, and their shortcomings

Potentially relevant capabilities

SCE has a whole proposed plan for how to reduce the amount of grid buildout required (see screenshots below):

  1. Changes in design (e.g. going to higher distribution voltages on existing right of ways, solid-state transformers, providing DC service)
  2. Changes in operations (e.g. DLR)
  3. Changes in planning (less siloed planning to avoid redundancy and inefficiencies in what’s built)

References

2024-04-05 Roger Kranenburg (Eversource)