Hardware Podcasts

Is now the time for DERs to scale? [re-published]

Catalyst · 13 Aug 2026 · 42m

What this episode covers

Shayle Kann and Andy Lubershane of Energy Impact Partners discuss why Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are finally ready to scale after a decade of stagnation. They argue that while the market previously lacked the desperation for grid flexibility, current transmission and interconnection bottlenecks have created a critical need for dispatchable capacity. The conversation highlights the evolution from simple demand response to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) aggregating thermostats, batteries, and EVs, noting that falling hardware costs and rising grid stress are finally aligning to make DERs a viable alternative to traditional infrastructure upgrades.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Energy Impact Partners, EnergyHub, Voltis, Gridbeyond, Enchanted Rock
Also
ERCOT

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Over the Air · 31m

    Managing Energy At The Edge: Navigating The Modern Grid With Itron

    Nick Tumilowicz, Director of Product Management at Itron, discusses the challenges of managing the aging electrical grid amid the energy transition, focusing on transformer capacity limits and the shift to underground infrastructure. He explains how Itron leverages its installed base of smart meters as edge compute devices to enable real-time, autonomous load management for distributed energy resources like EVs and solar. The conversation covers the long sales cycles in the utility sector, the cultural differences in grid adoption between the US and Europe, and the importance of balancing technological innovation with customer incentives.

    Energy & climate techConnected products & IoT
    8 chapters

  • EE Times Current · 37m

    Solving a Renewables Problem with Electric Vehicles

    Ritesh Tyagi, head of product innovation and growth strategy at Infineon, explains that while power generation is sufficient, the electrical grid's 100-year-old infrastructure struggles with transmission and managing peak demand from renewables and EVs. He argues that Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows the massive battery capacity of EVs to act as distributed storage, stabilizing the grid. Tyagi emphasizes that modernizing the grid requires next-generation semiconductors like silicon carbide and gallium nitride, along with increased sensor integration and AI for intelligent load management.

    Energy & climate techWireless & RF
    7 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 17m

    213: Electricity Doesn't Act Like an Apple

    Gretchen Bakke, a professor of anthropology at McGill University and author of The Grid, discusses the physical and cultural realities of the US power grid. She explains that electricity must be balanced second-by-second, creating challenges as variable renewable sources like wind and solar replace controllable fossil fuel plants. Bakke argues for a shift from centralized, brittle infrastructure to resilient, modular microgrids and smart devices that can manage demand and storage locally.

    Energy & climate techScaling production
    8 chapters

  • Moore's Lobby · 41m

    Powering EVs: Microgrids & DC Charging Solutions

    Antonio Di Vaira, Senior VP for Power Products at Schneider Electric, discusses the critical need for grid modernization driven by EV charging and AI data centers. He explains how microgrids and native DC distribution offer efficiency and resilience solutions, citing a pilot project at Schneider's Raleigh campus. Di Vaira also highlights the company's 'Flexset' switchboard, a modular, kit-built product designed to reduce lead times and empower electricians, while emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary engineering and customer-centric design.

    Energy & climate techDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    9 chapters

  • Hardware to Save a Planet · 54m

    Smart Electrical Panels: Avoiding $25K Upgrades to Enable Home Electrification with Arch Rao

    Arch Rao, Founder and CEO of Span, explains how his company’s smart electrical panel enables homeowners to monitor, control, and optimize energy use down to the circuit level, avoiding costly $15,000–$25,000 service upgrades. Drawing on his experience at Tesla Energy, Rao details how Span’s intelligent load management allows homes to adopt EV chargers, solar, and batteries without upgrading the grid. He discusses the evolution from a consumer-led product to a utility-scale infrastructure asset, highlighting partnerships with utilities like PG&E and the importance of interoperable, aesthetically designed hardware. Rao emphasizes the need for deep system-level engineering to navigate supply chain issues and scale production across 50 states.

    Mechanical engineeringPCB design & layout
    13 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Catalyst. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.