Implementing Corporate Onsite Distributed Energy Strategies

Corporate sustainability initiatives have become prominent, public-facing components of Fortune Global 500 and large company business plans. Driven by the desire to reduce the negative environmental impacts of their businesses while optimizing onsite energy management, companies are exploring a variety of onsite distributed energy resources (DER) technologies as mechanisms to optimize facilities' energy use. Adoption of specific technologies varies across industries. Even in a given industry, companies are taking different approaches to using onsite energy technologies such as generation, storage, EVs, and participation in demand side management (DSM) programs.

The DER market is trending toward bundled service offerings that allow companies to optimize energy management through integrated onsite DER ecosystems. In 2019, while solutions providers are moving toward bundled services, many corporate leaders deploy relevant DER technologies as individual tools to achieve sustainability or utility bill savings goals. By integrating onsite DER, companies are able to improve customer relationships, use cost-saving new technologies, and drive the global clean energy transformation. Onsite energy leadership may be demonstrated through the visible presence of clean energy structures at corporate sites.

This Navigant Research report explores the current landscape of corporate onsite DER deployments. The report analyzes the context of corporate DER deployments including goals for energy optimization, benefits and challenges associated with deployment, varying needs across industries, and DER as a tool for success in climate-focused legislative and regulatory landscapes. This study provides recommendations for solutions providers and energy managers looking to deploy DER technologies at corporate facilities over the coming decade.

Key Questions Addressed:

• How do onsite distributed energy resources (DER) technologies help companies meet sustainability targets?

• What technologies are corporations deploying as part of their energy management strategies?

• What industries are deploying onsite DER technologies?

• What benefits and barriers do companies face in deploying onsite DER technologies?

• What benefits and barriers do solutions providers face in providing onsite DER services?

• What are corporate best practices for deploying onsite DER?

• How will DER position companies for future legislative and regulatory landscapes?

  Who Needs This Report:

• Utilities and grid operators

• Energy management software providers

• Corporate energy, sustainability, facilities, and real estate managers

• Energy storage and EV service equipment companies

• Solar PV companies

• Demand response and DERMS providers

• C&I customers

• Investor community

Table of Contents

Spark

Context

Recommendations

Defining Corporate Onsite DER Deployments

Onsite DER Technologies Optimize Corporate Energy Use

• Corporate Energy Management Structures Vary
• Distinct Reasons for Deploying Onsite DER
• Maximizing Value Through DER Optimization

Currently Deployed Onsite DER Technologies Bring Both Benefits and Challenges

• Deploying Corporate Onsite Energy Technologies
• Onsite Solutions Provider Means Benefits and Burdens
• Integrating Onsite Technologies

DER Needs Are Unique Across Industries, Companies, and Sites

• Case Studies of Companies Developing Onsite DER Technology Portfolios
  • Target Corporation: Onsite Solar Plus
  • JCPenney Co: Storage
  • Picnic: Fleet Electrification
  • The Coca-Cola Company: Energy Efficiency
  • Glenwood Management Corp.: Integrated Solar plus Storage and DR

Onsite DER Is a Tool for Success in Climate-Focused Legislative and Regulatory Landscapes

• Companies Engage All Available Data Streams to Design Strategic Onsite DER Deployments
• Build Onsite DER Portfolios in a Modular Fashion Through Technology-Agnostic Platforms
• Consider Grid Integration to Stack Value of Multiple DER Technologies
• Explore Financing Mechanisms and Boost ROI

List of Charts and Figures

• Integrated Onsite DER Technologies

• Industry Sector DER Relevancy Matrix