They’re part of a new group, dubbed Utilize, pushing to ‘advance smarter, faster, and more affordable use of existing grid infrastructure.’ It will probably benefit them, but not exclusively.
Google has partnered with Tesla, data center developer Verrus, and a handful of energy and HVAC companies to push for “greater grid utilization.”
The group, known as Utilize, says it will push to “advance smarter, faster, and more affordable use of existing grid infrastructure.”
Members also include HVAC giant Carrier, distributed energy resource developer Sparkfund, virtual power plant company Renew Home, and smart electrical panel startup Span. Together, they argue that the current grid is “underutilized most of the time.”
“For decades, we’ve built the grid to meet peak demand, even though large portions of it sit unused for most hours of the year,” says Ian Magruder, Executive Director of Utilize. “It’s like building an airplane that only flies with full passengers a few times a year. That excess capacity is hiding in plain sight, and new technologies give us the opportunity to unlock it. Better grid utilization is one of the fastest, most practical levers states can pull to reduce power bills while supporting economic growth.”
Utilize cites a study that suggests the US grid is at times using as little as 18% of its generated power; another points to over 200 gigawatts of wasted power due to grid inefficiencies.
All the companies advocating for changes to the grid would, of course, stand to benefit from those same changes. More batteries and solar power would benefit Tesla. Greater use of virtual power stations would benefit Renew Home. Google would greatly benefit from cheaper electricity and improved grid access for its data centers.
But none of that takes away from the wasteful nature of the current electrical grid design, nor the ever-growing need to drive toward renewable energy sources, large-scale energy storage, and more efficient transmission to make the most of the power we already have. Large-scale batteries, heat pumps, solar panels, and better grid management could reduce US energy emissions, which remain among the highest in the world.
Utilize says it will “engage directly with states to help translate research into action, working alongside policymakers, industry, utilities, and consumer advocates to ensure better grid utilization becomes a core principle of modern grid planning.” As TechCrunch notes, however, it’s unclear if the group has officially registered as a lobbyist.
