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Autogrid develops software systems for the energy sector to manage, optimize and benefit from distributed energy resources. - Acquired by Schneider Electric -
Published August 7, 2020
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Updated January 8, 2025
Industrial Decarbonization
Power & Utilities
Distributed Energy Resources
Electrification & Efficiency
Innovative Processes
Renewables & Energy Storage
Product Overview
Overview
AutoGrid has developed several enterprise-grade DER management software solutions for utilities and energy service providers. The US-based company had raised over $73 million through several rounds of funding with lead investors like Shell Ventures and National Grid Partners, and has had continued engagement with ARPA-E (dating back to 2012 and continues through the SCALEUP program). In 2022, AutoGrid was acquired by Schneider Electric.
AutoGrid Flex is a suite of DER/flexibility management software solutions, including:
- Demand response optimization and management system (DROMS): a platform by which DR resources across a variety of asset classes, programs, and customer segments can be optimized, per utility business rules and/or bilateral contracts. Functionality is end-to-end, from asset enrollment to measurement and verification (M&V), with provisions to integrate with other enterprise software (like CRM and billing).
- DER management system (DERMS): a platform designed for relatively broader device engagement, including management of smart investers (solar PV, battery), EV/EVSE, microgrid controllers, and CHP plants. The DERMS platform is meant to provide a vendor-neutral and aggregator-neutral platform by which DER of all types and OEMs can be managed to maintain grid safety and reliaiblity while enhancing operational flexibility.
- Virtual power plant (VPP): a separate solutions from DROMS and DERMS, although overlapping capabilities for communication and control of DER of all types. The focus of this solution is optimizing and executing the dispatch of DER aggregations for energy market participation and/or customer program activation.
AutoGrid Engage is a front end customer engagement solution for both residential and C&I DR/DER programs. The software is fully customizable to achieve a look and feel that is consistent with existing customer-facing portals (including "white labeling" using a utility or energy service provider's logo). The solution is also designed to integrate with the existing customer management software ecosystem (e.g., CRMs).
AutoGrid Energy Internet Platform is designed to be the "unified technology foundation" for AutoGrid Flex and AutoGrid Engage, which enhances data management and integration across the applications and introduces additional technical and functional capabilities, including big data storage and enhanced forecasting and controls.
This integrated suite of flexibility management applications can utilize petabytes of smart meter, sensor and third-party data, along with powerful data science and high-performance computing algorithms, to monitor, predict, optimize and control the operations of potentially millions of DR/DER assets connected across a service territory (or beyond).
Business Model
SaaS (subscription-based), plus optional consulting fees for technology integration services (per contract).
Technology Innovations
- AutoGrid Flex mines the Energy Internet’s rich data lode to extract the highest value from all distributed energy resources
- AutoGrid Engage is a white-labeled application with modern web development principals to accommodate company branding practice and seamless integration into your corporate web platforms
- AutoGrid Energy Internet Platform provides the capability to predict, optimize, and control tens of thousands of DERs, millions of participants, using trillions of data-points, in real time.
Applications
- Solar + Storage Fleets enables co-optimization across all value streams, benefiting end-customers with resiliency, energy and demand charge reductions while supporting network needs with distribution flexibility and ancillary services
- Utility Scale Storage solution offer assets and participate in multiple market opportunities to maximize ROI
- Microgrids offering gives customer the ability to offer energy-as-a-service while boosting resiliency
- Renewables Trading offers customers with large renewable generation portfolios comprehensive market access and operations to the assets under management
- EV Fleet Management delivers charge management and meet daily transportation requirements to drive the lowest cost of operation, and additional monetization through grid services or market participation
- C&I Demand Response is a BYOT program able to support and manage the full range of customer-owned assets, such as smart thermostats and EV chargers, regardless of hardware vendor, with plug-n-play asset connectivity
- Behavioral and Community DR is an easy-to-deploy DR programs which can combine behavioral dispatch, dynamic pricing and direct load control mechanisms to reduce or shift load during peak times