There's no shortage of lists available to summarize 2024, but here at Darcy, we have a unique data set with activity on Darcy Connect from over 10,000 energy company Connect Users. Our data highlights which innovators gained most attention on Darcy Connect through views, clicks, likes, follows, meetings scheduled, fundings, and other factors. Combined with analysis from our Research Team about technology developments and market traction, we have selected the Top 10 Innovators from 2024 in each of our coverage channels. This is our way of saying: "these are the innovators that your peers are most interested in, and that our Researchers view as novel and impactful - so you should learn more about them". In this article, you will find the Innovators that made it on the list in the category of Grid Edge (AMI, DER and Energy Efficiency and Electrification).

But there is far more detail to look at than what you'll find here.

• The Innovator names are all linked to their Storefront, where you can find in-depth information on their products, business models, and our Research Team's insights. Here, Connect Users are able to schedule meetings with the Innovators or request updates.
• Throughout Q1, you will find weekly articles like this with Top 10 lists from our Oil & Gas, Power & Utilities, Sustainability, and Energy Transition research programs.
• All articles will be followed by a Darcy Live Event. On the Event page, you can find the full Darcy Live schedule for Q1.

Here you can find our event for Grid Edge, Best of 2024: Grid Edge, scheduled for January 30th, 2025.

The Top 10 Innovators from 2024 in Grid Edge are (in alphabetical order based on each theme):

• Gridsight: Uses grid-edge telemetry to provide network visibility, hosting capacity analytics, and flexible orchestration, including DOEs and optimal constraint avoidance. In 2024, Gridsight expanded operations in AUS, NZ and the US.
• Sense: Real-time customer engagement and grid analytics running on AMI 2.0 meters. In 2024, the company scaled deployments, announced new meter partners and utility grid-facing pilots expanding beyond customer engagement.
• EPEX SPOT: Expanding from wholesale electricity trading, EPEX developed a market system for operators and flexibility providers to solve local congestion management. In 2024, EPEX announced UKPN, UK’s largest DSO, as a flex market customer.
• Kraken: Octopus Energy’s Edge DERMS platform integrates energy pricing inputs, load and weather forecasts, and network information to create automated dispatch schemes. In 2024, Kraken led the creation of the Mercury Consortium.
• Piclo: Marketplace for DER-enabled grid flexibility services, enabling utilities to source and dispatch locational or territory-wide flexibility from DER aggregators and operators. In 2024, Piclo went live with Piclo Max and expanded US presence.
• Smarter Grid Solutions: Leading Grid DERMS solution supporting grid operators through a wide number of applications including autonomous DER monitoring, real-time control, aggregation, and optimization. In 2024, SGS announced a partnership with GGS.
• Gradient: The easy-to-install all-weather 120V window heat pump is especially well suited for multi-family buildings. In 2024, Gradient raised $9.5M and started deploying units at NYCHA apartments as a winner of the Clean Heat for All Challenge.
• Kestrix: Flies thermal drones over whole areas to map as well as quantify heat loss in 3D and generate retrofit plans. In 2024, Kestrix was one of the finalists in the Free Electrons program and is launching projects with utilities like EDF in the UK
• Rock Rabbit: Residential rebate management solution making incentive access fast and easy for homeowners, contractors and incentive providers reducing administrative overhead and adoption barriers. In 2024, Rock Rabbit raised $3.1M.
• Budderfly: Delivers energy optimization through proprietary software, IoT devices, and efficiency upgrades - all with no upfront cost. In 2024, it secured $400M and acquired Sunverge Energy's DERMS to create a unique end-to-end VPP offering.

Let us know if you have any questions or comments about this list in the comment section below. We're looking forward to another year of exciting and insightful research!