Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo in Austin, TX. While there, I got a chance to talk to show participants and exhibitors to get an idea of where renewable energy is headed, and how onsite power and energy efficiency are becoming ever more important features of our “green” future.
Some of the most intriguing tidbits and stories I picked up while in Texas include:
* A shift from third-party distributors of solar and wind technologies to a direct-buy approach where customers deal directly with the manufacturers.
* An increasing interest in wind power for onsite energy applications now that turbines are getting smaller and more efficient.
* The beginnings of compliance standards now that renewable technologies are increasing the power potential of onsite systems (and thereby triggering regulations put in place with an eye towards utility-grade wind and solar farms, not smaller distributed, off-grid systems).
I was surprised that energy management systems and smart grid applications were not more widely discussed. As I’ve repeatedly said, I believe that the smart grid’s true potential lies in tying onsite (and renewable) power to the grid via an energy management system that would allow communities to use the best power option for each situation. Additionally, EMS is an integral part of energy efficiency within one facility or structure where controlling and managing HVAC, lighting, and the indoor environment is important not only from a resource management prospective, but also for your bottom line.
So what do you think? Is the renewable energy market prepared to handle the increasing demand for clean, green power? And is the renewable industry missing the opportunity when it comes to distributed energy and the smart grid?