Date: May 2025

Rural electric cooperatives (co-ops) face unique challenges in managing flexible loads, ensuring grid reliability and integrating distributed energy resources (DERs). Co-ops often have fewer resources and infrastructure than larger investor-owned utilities (IOUs), yet their ability to adapt to changing demand and decentralized generation is vital for grid stability. While challenges like limited access to advanced technologies and data exist, the co-op membership model encourages innovation and member-focused solutions. This panel, moderated by Edge Zero with representatives from three co-ops, will address these hurdles, including data access, communication barriers and funding challenges for grid technologies. Each utility will explore how these factors influence their approach to load management and grid operations, sharing insights and best practices beneficial for both co-ops and IOUs. The panel will also discuss strategies for enhanced collaboration between co-ops and IOUs, promoting a more resilient and reliable grid in the face of growing clean energy demand.

Speakers:
Shawn Grant, PacifiCorp
Cyril Brunner, VEC
Jessie Peters, Edge Zero
Michael Ryan, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative