# Are utilities ready to fully harness demand flexibility? [partner content]

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2025-02-04
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content

## Summary

Scott Engstrom, co-founder and chief customer officer at GridX, discusses with host Stephen Lacey why utilities are shifting from supply-side decarbonization to demand flexibility. Engstrom explains how time-varying rates and complex rate analytics help manage grids with high renewable penetration, citing Southern California Edison's success during the 2022 heat wave. He also addresses equity concerns for low-income customers and contrasts successful rate designs with the failures of real-time pricing during Winter Storm Uri in Texas.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=2) Introduction: The Value of Demand Flexibility
- [1:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=72) California Heat Wave and Load Reduction Results
- [3:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=192) Utility Mindset Shift from Supply to Demand
- [9:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=587) The Rise of Complex Rate Analytics
- [13:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=782) Effective Rate Designs and Equity Concerns
- [19:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=1153) Lessons from Winter Storm Uri and Real-Time Pricing
- [23:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=1390) Future of Dynamic Pricing and Automation
- [26:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-02-04-are-utilities-ready-to-fully-harness-demand-flexibility-partner-content#t=1607) Industry Evolution and GridX's Role

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- GridX (company)
- Southern California Edison (company)
- Enron (company)
- Nehruk (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [142. Decarbonizing with Energy Modeling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-10-03-142-decarbonizing-with-energy-modeling) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Renewable Energy Policy with Ari Gerstman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-02-renewable-energy-policy-with-ari-gerstman) (The Amp Hour)
- [213: Electricity Doesn't Act Like an Apple](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-31-213-electricity-doesnt-act-like-an-apple) (Embedded.fm)
- [Managing Energy At The Edge: Navigating The Modern Grid With Itron](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-09-05-managing-energy-at-the-edge-navigating-the-modern-grid-with-itron) (Over the Air)
- [Aligning Passion With Purpose: A Journey to Electrification and Sustainability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-06-17-aligning-passion-with-purpose-a-journey-to-electrification-and-sustainability) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

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