The energy industry continues moving toward a marketplace built on clean and cost-effective distributed energy resources (DERs). Utilities can play a critical role in developing DERs to better balance of supply and demand in a distributed power grid, and better serve changing utility customer needs.

Unlocking the value of DERs is a critical opportunity—but also a challenge—for many utilities today. How can utilities best maximize the value of DERs? This survey examines the importance of DERs for utilities, along with the opportunity to maximize their value by taking a more holistic and flexible approach to DERs that incorporates utilities’ ongoing digitalization efforts.

Key Findings:

• 85% of respondents agree DER integration and management is an important challenge for today’s utilities.
• 36% of utilities already have a specific and comprehensive DER business strategy.
• It is essential to understand your organization’s strengths and weaknesses for supporting DERs, and where it can benefit from additional capabilities and expertise.
• Utilities should prepare their strategic plans now to be able to leverage DERs through digitalization solutions effectively across their organizations.

Siemens Digital Grid partners with leading global utilities to provide expertise and innovative technologies to help in their digitalization journeys. In North America, Siemens Digital Grid has worked with more than 1,000 leading utilities to deliver proven products, solutions, and services that improve operational efficiencies, enhance reliability and resiliency, and empower consumers to better manage their energy use.

Download the report here, infographic below.