Texas-based AI-enabled SaaS platform Innowatts has commercialised and deployed grid edge management in partnership with several international utilities and retail electricity providers.

The grid edge management module enables automated and near real-time optimisation of intra-connected distributed energy resources (DERs), including solar rooftop, battery storage, EV charging stations and other electrification technologies. Alongside short- and long-term forecasting tools powered by granular behind-the-meter data, the platform helps energy providers deliver smarter, leaner and more reliable energy services to their consumers.

With data insights from its global portfolio of 44 million smart meters, Innowatts delivers intelligence through an end-to-end platform, from granular usage and generation data to actionable hardware automation insights. This capability enables localised forecasting of demand drivers from native and new electrification technologies, as well as insights into the performance of DER assets, to enhance grid reliability and reduce providers’ carbon footprints.

The city of Fargo in North Dakota recently deployed the module to drive cost-effective reductions in its carbon footprint while enhancing economic development by promoting green energy projects. Fargo is using Innowatts’ load forecasting capabilities and grid edge management at a new smart parking complex.

The SaaS platform gives municipalities intelligent control of rooftop solar, battery storage, EV charging and facility load to optimise energy consumption, and assists in the reduction of energy costs through lower peak electricity demand and optimisation of distributed renewable energy assets. 

Fargo also plans to leverage the platform to develop and implement optimal time-of-use pricing strategies to drive EV adoption, an approach that should keep energy costs low while enabling the provision of bundled parking and charging plans to attract city residents to nearby office buildings and businesses.

The smart energy initiative additionally provides municipalities and city planners with visibility into the integration of solar energy and EV battery charging, helping them build infrastructure to support Fargo’s role in municipal sustainability. 

“The analytics from Innowatts and their ability to bring meaning to otherwise disparate data streams generated by this project have shown the city what is possible from smart clean energy investments,” said Mike Redlinger, assistant city administrator in Fargo. “Based on the insights provided by Innowatts, the city of Fargo is able to precisely measure the adoption and use of the EV charging station investments at the Roberts Common facility. With these insights, we can drive marketing initiatives to bring more awareness to the clean energy alternatives available in downtown Fargo and drive more foot traffic for our local businesses.”

In the UK, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), a distribution system operator serving 3.7 million homes, has leveraged the platform to map future energy trends and DER uptake scenarios accurately until 2035. With EV charging demand expected to triple the amount of power required at peak times of the day, Innowatts has helped SSEN to plan network reinforcement and identify potential DER hotspots over the next 15 years.

“Decarbonisation and digitisation are transforming the electrical grid,” said Seymour Lee, leader of operational experience for Innowatts. “At Innowatts, we’re committed to using best-of-breed AI analytics to give providers full visibility into this evolution, and empowering them to make smarter decisions, keep costs low, and deliver the sustainable and resilient energy their customers need.”

Innowatts is an energy SaaS platform that uses artificial intelligence to help electricity service providers unlock grid edge opportunities, increase value and accelerate energy transition. The platform harnesses insights from more than 44 million meters, delivering near real-time, customer-centric energy analytics accurately. It has clients and operations across the Americas, Europe and Asia.