Expertise

Technology Convergence

 
Technology Convergence
 

We’re creating smart and connected networks of distributed energy resources and establishing clean transportation systems to facilitate grid decarbonization

We have broad expertise in convergent technologies that combine new ways of generating, distributing and using renewable energy sources across sectors and activities. Through demonstration projects, we learn from groundbreaking approaches that can be applied in utility-scale, commercial and consumer contexts to foster decarbonization.

Execution with national impact
 

Our work falls into three broad areas: Program Administration, Advisory Services and Demonstration and Validation.

Program Administration

We partner with you to integrate energy-related technologies, policies and practices to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

Providing financial assistance for the installation of energy storage, fuel cells, wind, waste energy recovery, pressure reduction turbines and combined heat and power. Learn More

Shalene Watanabe-O'Toole

“When paired with solar, energy storage systems allow homes and businesses to rely on the clean energy that they themselves produce. This not only offsets demand during peak periods, but provides resiliency in the case of an outage.”

Shalene Watanabe-O'Toole
Senior Manager, SGIP

Advisory Services

We create results that allow stakeholders to better understand the technical, institutional and regulatory barriers to facilitating distributed energy resource (DER) participation in supply-side markets.

Testing Emerging Energy Systems in Big-Box Retail

CSE is conducting a California Energy Commission pilot project with Walmart Inc. to assess the ability of several emerging energy efficiency technologies to significantly cut energy use specifically in large retail buildings. If the combined technologies successfully lead to reduced energy use, their application could be fast-tracked into the commercial market. Learn More

Rebecca Baptiste

“This project gives us the ability to rigorously evaluate precommercial energy technologies offering unproven savings potential in a real-world situation with minimum investment risk by the building owner.”

Rebecca Baptiste
Manager, Distributed Energy Resources

Demonstration and Validation

Before you can go big or go fast, you need to make sure you will get the results you want. CSE engineers and program managers work closely with you and technology providers to test and verify energy efficiency, microgrid and other technologies. The goal: a blueprint for future resilience, reliability, and greenhouse gas reduction.

Developing a Flexible Campus Microgrid

With our partners, we’re evaluating the energy efficiency, resiliency, and economic benefits of a flexible campus microgrid system that could be a blueprint for community colleges elsewhere. Learn More

Jae Berg

“A microgrid can not only supply clean power to Santa Rosa Junior College but also provide resilient backup power for the campus and surrounding communities.”

Jae Berg
Director, DER and Transportation Programs

Recent Thought Leadership - Technology