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Let’s start with the “why” of DC Grid
December 19 2024 | Vic Shao, Founder & CEO, DC Grid
15 years ago, in the midst of the banking crisis, my business partner and I were consulting to electric utilities about the oncoming decentralization of the AC grid. The crux of the thesis was that the centralized generation and distribution model, with control center operators managing the grid in real-time, would begin to break down. The onslaught of “grid edge” assets - distributed and variable generation in the form of solar, mobile loads like EVs, and algorithm-controlled battery storage (either a generator or a load within seconds) will destabilize how the grid is operated, unless software intelligence and massive level of automation was added to the utility control room.
2013 – energy storage deployment with NYC skyline backdrop
We were fortunate to be awarded a DOE “Smart Grid Demonstration” grant in 2009 to launch Green Charge Networks and fully demonstrate this software-enabled, decentralized grid management scenario. Under the partnership with Con Edison of New York, we were the first company to install battery storage in the distribution grid in New York. At the end of the 3 year project period, we delivered what we set out to do – automated control of grid edge assets with real-time visibility inside the Con Edison control center.
2012 R&D – CHAdeMO charging from dryer outlet and AC/DC conversions
2012 R&D – CHAdeMO charging from dryer outlet and AC/DC conversions
2014 – CHAdeMO fast charger with battery storage at convenience store in San Diego, CA
Through it all, I gained an immense level of respect for utilities and their workers. At every layer of the organization, the goal is uptime, safety, and reliability. It’s incredibly dangerous and arduous work. I’ve climbed down into a utility vault in Times Square in the dead heat of summer and watched utility electricians spliced live wires. I’ve seen crews restoring power with wildfires still raging in the distance. “All hands on deck” takes on a whole new meaning during summer brown-outs and the ensuing heroics.
But here’s the thing – all of this is not enough.
Power demand has been flat for decades. However, in the span of the past 2 years, load forecast at the national level has grown by 5X, driven by data centers, EVs, and domestic manufacturing. This escalating demand is unprecedented; software, smarts, and even utilities by themselves cannot accommodate the scale of the need. Utilities need help – without the private sector pitching in and adding electrical capacity, the U.S. cannot adequately compete on the global stage in AI, electric transport, and manufacturing. Electricity underpins our economic growth.
2011 – portable energy storage, solar, AC charging (J1772) and DC charging (CHAdeMO)
Even 15 years ago, I was concerned about the proliferation of distributed energy resources, grid outage from natural disasters, and rising load on the grid from EVs. As part of the DOE project with Con Edison, we built a small off-grid, DC-coupled energy station on wheels to highlight the concept and that it is technically feasible. But back then, lithium ion storage cost $1,200/kWh, silicon carbide MOSFETs were not yet commercialized, and the larger support ecosystem was not in place (check out those crazy connectors!).
The landscape today is entirely different. DC Grid is actively working to alleviate AC grid constraints and support power-hungry sectors. We believe by working together with utilities and off-grid generation partners, we can meet rising demands and boost economic growth in this country. This isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a must and we’re ready to deploy.
