How can power distribution companies promote energy storage through collaboration?

2 Share data and best practices

Power distribution companies should share data and best practices on energy storage, such as performance, costs, benefits, and lessons learned. By exchanging information, they can learn from each other's experiences, identify best practices, and avoid potential pitfalls. They can also benchmark their progress and performance against their peers and industry standards. Sharing data and best practices can also foster trust and transparency among power distribution companies and other stakeholders, such as regulators, customers, and suppliers.

3 Coordinate planning and operation

Power distribution companies should coordinate their planning and operation of energy storage, such as location, size, type, and dispatch. By coordinating their decisions, they can optimize the use and value of energy storage across the power system, avoid duplication and conflicts, and enhance synergies and complementarities. They can also reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with energy storage investments and operations. Coordinating planning and operation can also enable power distribution companies to provide more reliable and flexible services to their customers and the grid.

4 Collaborate on innovation and research

Power distribution companies should collaborate on innovation and research on energy storage, such as new technologies, applications, and business models. By collaborating on innovation and research, they can pool their resources, expertise, and networks, and accelerate the development and deployment of energy storage solutions. They can also create new opportunities and markets for energy storage, and gain a competitive edge in the industry. Collaborating on innovation and research can also foster a culture of innovation and learning among power distribution companies and other stakeholders.

5 Engage with customers and communities

Power distribution companies should engage with their customers and communities on energy storage, such as awareness, education, participation, and feedback. By engaging with their customers and communities, they can increase their understanding and acceptance of energy storage, and address their needs and expectations. They can also encourage their customers and communities to adopt energy storage solutions, such as behind-the-meter batteries, demand response, and electric vehicles. Engaging with customers and communities can also enhance the social and environmental benefits of energy storage, such as energy security, affordability, and sustainability.