DER 2.0: Customer Focused Design for DER Participation

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This project aims to understand how customers can be used to reshape Distributed Energy Resources (DER) orchestration program design to increase participation. The rise of residential solar has brought enormous benefits to households and the broader transition to a cleaner electricity system. It has also brought challenges to how the electricity grid and market operate – particularly with voltage challenges that can occur within a network when too much solar energy is exported back to the grid.Key industry stakeholders have tried to solve these challenges by reducing financial incentives or with firm control measures (turning systems off completely).Residential batteries present an alternative solution. Not only do they increase the value households can receive from their solar system, they also provide greater financial, environmental, and broader community benefits when part of orchestration programs. Unfortunately, both the uptake of batteries and participating in orchestration programs has been lower than predicted. This is problematic, as lower participation in orchestration programs means that households are not getting exposure to the true value potential a battery could bring.

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