Customer-side resources will be critical as rising electricity demand, extreme weather and climate change impact the Northwest power system 

In January 2024, extreme cold descended on the Northwest, causing a significant spike in electricity demand. At the same time, there were serious challenges for energy supplies across the region. But first and foremost, we want to acknowledge those personally affected by the severe weather and send a heartfelt thank you to all the utility…

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Extreme weather events strengthen the case for customer-side resources, particularly managing load

Extreme weather events have become the new norm around the world. In the typically wet Northwest, prolonged periods of drought can put pressure on the region’s hydropower system, cause heat stress and wildfire risks. In this blog post, we connect the dots between increasingly volatile weather conditions and the value of customer-side energy resources. These…

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Demand Response in the Northwest: Part 1 

What is demand response and what can it do for our energy system?  What is demand response and how does it work?  The electric power system in the Northwest is undergoing a transformation. As coal plants retire and the region transitions to cleaner sources of variable energy, the grid is becoming more complex to operate.…

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Customer-side resources can reduce risks from volatile energy prices  

Winter is here. It’s barely February and we’ve already witnessed the value of a diversified energy system and the risks that come from fossil fuels. Volatile fossil fuel prices are causing concern for customers that end up footing the bill when their utility purchases fossil-fueled power. By accelerating our investments in customer-side resources, we can…

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Customer Resources Play a Key Role During Extreme Weather  

An in-depth look at what the Pacific Northwest can learn from the role of customer side resources in saving the grid.  The West is in a transformative time, decarbonizing our energy system while electrifying large aspects of our economy, such as transportation and heating and cooling of buildings. California, more than any other state, is…

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Energy Efficiency 101

Energy efficiency means using energy wisely Simply put, energy efficiency means using each unit of energy as efficiently as possible to reduce waste. A common example of energy efficiency is switching from incandescent light bulbs to light emitting diodes – more commonly known as LED – light bulbs. LED bulbs produce a nearly identical amount…

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Opportunities to Act for a Strong Washington State Energy Code

As we tackle the biggest issue of this generation – the climate crisis – we also have an opportunity to recreate a society that is cleaner, healthier, more equitable, and more affordable. The buildings we sleep, cook, relax, work, create, and socialize in are just one area that is undergoing a transformation. Every time we…

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Flexible demand webinar explores potential of customer-side technologies as an energy resource

Welcome to a conversation with Geoff Wickes, Jeff Harris, Conrad Eustis, and Tony Koch about how grid-integrated water heaters and other customer-side technologies can contribute to electric system efficiency and reduce the need for additional generations resources.  The session runs about 90 minutes. It was recorded on July 1st, 2020. The moderator is Fred Heutte,…

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