The renewable energy transition requires a massive overhaul of power grid operations and infrastructure. While utilities will play a critical role in this transformation, many face challenges integrating distributed resources like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. How can legacy grid operators embrace the distributed energy future? Our guest today, Astrid Atkinson, believes new software systems are the answer.
In this episode, Tim Montague is joined by Astrid Atkinson, founder and CEO of Camus Energy and she shares how her company is equipping utilities with the visibility, analytics, and control capabilities needed to orchestrate a dynamic, decarbonized grid. With deep experience building large-scale computing systems at Google, she's now applying cloud principles to help utilities navigate the coming wave of electrification.
We talk about the challenges many utilities face integrating solar, wind, EVs, and other distributed energy resources (DERs) into their existing grid infrastructure and business models. Astrid explains how Camus's software gives utilities more visibility into DERs in their service territory and helps orchestrate these assets for reliability and cost optimization.
Astrid provides examples of how municipal utilities and rural electric co-ops are using Camus to balance increasing local solar with new industrial load growth while keeping costs low for customers. She discussed the industry transformation required to operate a dynamic, distributed grid and how improved data visibility and AI will be critical enablers.
Astrid shares her vision for the grid of the future and real-world examples of how Camus is enabling community solar, EV integration, and zero carbon operations for its utility customers today. Overall, it was an insightful discussion about the digital tools and new approaches needed for utilities to transition to a smart, distributed, decarbonized grid powered by renewables and DERs.
Key Takeaways
1. How can legacy utilities successfully transition to a distributed, renewable grid?
2. What are the main challenges utilities face with more renewable generation and DERs?
3. Why are some utilities more motivated to embrace DERs than others?
4. How can utilities manage exponential EV charging load growth?
5. What can we learn from early utility adopters of DER integration solutions?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/astridatkinson/
https://camus.energy/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/camus/
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00:00 Introduction
01:58 Astrid's Background and Motivation for Camus Energy
04:05 The Challenges Utilities Face with Distributed Resources
06:45 How Camus Helps Utilities Integrate DERs
09:59 Municipal Utilities Leading on Solar and Storage
13:02 Managing Exponential EV Load Growth
23:00 Utility Business Models and Motivations
29:25 Real World Examples of Camus's Impact
35:42 The Grid Transformation Underway
39:30 Conclusion
