Major players unite to form alliance focusing on decentralized energy solutions

New Coalition Aims to Modernize and Stabilize U.S. Power Grid

A new coalition, dedicated to promoting distributed energy resources, has been announced. The organization, known as Common Charge, was founded in 2022 under the leadership of activist Katherine Hamilton.

Common Charge seeks to drive consumers and policymakers to unlock the full potential of distributed energy resources such as batteries, electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and smart thermostats. The goal is to modernize and stabilize the U.S. power grid.

Katherine Hamilton, the acting Executive Director of the coalition, emphasizes the urgency to enable distributed assets through smart policy and regulation that prioritizes consumers. She reiterates the importance of utilizing local solutions to lower bills and protect the grid.

The coalition highlights the role of distributed resources in stabilizing the grid during times of stress. Examples of such situations include heat waves that hit the Midwest and Northeast this summer. Maximizing the use of these assets is crucial for the organization to protect the grid and energy consumers in the face of data centers, rising energy costs, and severe weather.

The founding members of the coalition include Advanced Energy United, Charge Ahead Partnership, Coalition for Community Solar Access, Eco Capital, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Pivot Energy, Solar United Neighbors, Sunrun, and Vote Solar.

Common Charge aims to unite stakeholders to replace the outdated energy system with a more flexible, resilient, and consumer-focused system that benefits ratepayers and protects the grid. The organization, registered as a 501c3, aims to advance policy reform to achieve this goal.

In summary, Common Charge is a new coalition dedicated to promoting distributed energy resources, modernizing the U.S. power grid, and stabilizing it during times of stress. The organization aims to unite stakeholders to replace the outdated energy system with a more flexible, resilient, and consumer-focused system that benefits ratepayers and protects the grid amid rising energy costs and extreme weather events.