Posted May 31, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Transportation Electrification (TE) offers numerous opportunities for communities and TE-related companies. Government agencies and utilities are deploying electrification incentive programs to encourage customers to adopt electric vehicles. TE is a key priority for many states and a critical path to the fight against climate change. However, not all stakeholders are equally positioned to participate in TE programs and realize these opportunities. To address these inequities, ILLUME Advising LLC released a whitepaper that identifies barriers to equitable TE and recommends strategies to unlock electric vehicle (EV) access in Black and Brown Communities. The paper draws on an in-depth case study of the Black-owned electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) company, KIGT, and its efforts to invest in communities in South Los Angeles. “If no one is paying attention to how we implement strategies for electrifying transportation, then millions of people will be left out. Electrification, equity, and empowerment are wealth-building tools for creating an inclusive economy for Black and Brown communities. ILLUME’s whitepaper illustrates what is happening in the market and identifies viable solutions.” Paul Francis, KIGT CEO. According to the paper, policymakers, regulators, and program designers must adopt the following solutions to unlock the potential for TE across all markets and communities:

1. Systematically review program requirements to reduce undue burdens to emerging suppliers.
2. Modify cost-benefit models to address underlying needs.
3. Tailor incentives to address EV deserts and the communities impacted by them and identify partnerships to accelerate the process.
4. Prioritize community-based or community-focused developers.

The whitepaper is complemented by an ArcGIS StoryMap to visualize the experience of KIGT and provide recommendations for regulators and utilities to ensure the benefits from transportation electrification transition benefit all communities. The StoryMap is available to view here. By implementing these strategies, regulators and program designers can reduce or remove barriers that disadvantage up-and-coming diverse suppliers capable of participating in programs, amend cost-benefit assessments to prioritize equitable service outcomes, prioritize projects in EV deserts, and facilitate access to incentives for diverse TE suppliers and community projects. “Transportation electrification is critical to achieving a carbon-free future, but we must ensure that all communities can participate in and benefit from the transition to electric vehicles,” said Anne Dougherty, ILLUME Co-Founder. “Our whitepaper offers actionable recommendations that will help regulators and program designers unlock the potential of TE for all markets and communities while promoting equity and sustainability. This is an important read for anyone working in electrification.”

To read the full white paper, click here.

CLICK HERE to read the full press release.

Posted May 25, 2023

Lake Saint Louis, Mo., May 18, 2023 – National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), a leading provider of software solutions to broadband and utility organizations, has announced a partnership with Virtual Peaker, a leading provider of Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) solutions. The partnership enhances NISC’s previously-announced DERMS Partnership Program by providing enhanced options for distributed energy resource (DER) management.

“Electric vehicles, smart thermostats, direct load controllers and other DERs are continuing to grow, and we know our members need proven solutions to help them manage these resources on their system,” said David Bonnett, Vice President of Product Management for NISC. “Virtual Peaker’s DERMS is one of the leading solutions in the industry and will help our Membership serve a consumer base that’s changing the way they consume and manage their energy.”

Virtual Peaker’s DERMS, Shift provides the tools that optimize the supply management functions for a wide array of DER programs. The solution can be adapted to interface with contemporary devices and platforms, designed to modernize any utility and help them become customer-centric and decentralized. This backend optimization allows utility providers to utilize their NISC engagement solutions to communicate effectively and build trust with their members.

“The energy landscape is changing, and we want to ensure that utilities and energy providers can leverage DER assets to help their customers better manage their energy,” said Dr. William (Bill) Burke., Founder & CEO of Virtual Peaker. “We’re excited to partner with NISC and work with their membership to innovate and continue building a solution for the future of energy management.”

NISC’s previously announced DERMS partner program supports a set of Application Programming Interfaces (API) to integrate with leading DERMS providers for an end-to-end solution. Including integration with NISC’s Marketing solution, Multi-Channel Messenger, Meter Data Management and SmartHub, the DERMS Partnership Program allows Members to manage the entire DER program lifecycle.

NISC expects the DERMS Partner Program to be available for Members beginning this fall, but has been working with development partners like Brunswick EMC, located in Supply, N.C., to help validate strategic use cases for integration with partners like Virtual Peaker.

CLICK HERE to read the full press release.

Posted May 24, 2023

The Position and the Team You Will Work With
We are currently seeking a Technical Program Manager to join our customer onboarding team. The Technical Program manager  will be responsible for defining and overseeing the product implementation of Bidgely’s innovative energy management service with strategic utility customers worldwide. As a key member of the team, you will be utilizing your project management, technical/product knowledge and client engagement skills to deliver a solution that is highly effective and tightly integrated with the Bidgely’s customer. 

About You

• Innovation - You challenge the status quo to drive impact
• Results - Be dedicated to delivering stellar outcomes, and accept nothing less. Know your goals, chart your path, and execute with precision and passion
• Quality - Quality is at the heart of everything you do.  You take great pride in your work and are a trusted resource

What You Will Bring

Preferred

• BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent
• PMP certification or other job related certifications
• Experience working in a fast-paced start up environment
• Knowledge of SQL, Python, REST APIs, and data transformation technologies (this role is hands on) 
• At least 1+ years of experience working with gas/electric utility or renewable energy customers 

CLICK HERE to read the full job description and to apply.

Posted May 24, 2023

The Position and the Team You Will Work With
We are currently seeking an experienced Solutions Architect to join our Customer Onboarding team. The Solutions Architect is responsible for the technical quality of all product implementations of Bidgely’s innovative energy management service with strategic utility customers worldwide. As a leader and subject matter expert, the Solutions Architect utilizes technical, product and management skills to ensure the technical soundness and readiness of implementations. The position reports into the Head of Customer Onboarding and works closely with other Solution Architects, Technical Program Managers, and all other relevant cross-functional teams.

As a Solutions Architect, you will:

• Become a cross-functional subject matter expert and collaborator; own the overall solution design and development for utility customers while working with our global engineering teams
• Utilize requirement analysis, customer journey scope discussion, data integration, machine learning algorithms, design, solution architecture, implementation, delivery, customer facing technical issue resolution and discussion to support Technical Program Managers and Delivery Managers
• Help remove guesswork and provide a framework; devise and own the gate process for each project that Technical Program Managers will follow to ensure every project is technically sound to achieve on-time, quality launches, without additional costs
• Ensure Technical Program Manager implementation of new products is at the same fidelity of legacy products, reviewing new product performance, test cases, project plans, and risk mitigation from contract signing to launch
• Own and coordinate the communication funnel between Product Management and implementation project teams regarding issues & risks impacting new product launches
• Create a robust structure for continuous improvement of technical implementations and product solutions that promptly responds to internal and external stakeholder feedback
• Utilize Bidgely product expertise and gap analysis to understand utility customer requirements, mapping, and customizations necessary to complete a project
• Regularly hold feedback and collaboration sessions with other Solution Architects to improve the quality of implementations, solution mapping gaps, and training of Technical Program Managers
• Manage select customer engagements using the Customer Onboarding team processes and tools
• Assist Sales teams by developing the technical content of proposals, shortlist presentations and quality technical training as needed 

About You

• Innovation - You challenge the status quo to drive impact
• Results - Be dedicated to delivering stellar outcomes, and accept nothing less. Know your goals, chart your path, and execute with precision and passion.
• Quality - Quality is at the heart of everything you do.  You take great pride in your work and are a trusted resource.
• Leadership - You shine at the front of the room. People respect and follow you.

What You Will Bring

Preferred

• Working knowledge of programming tools such as Java, Spring, Hibernate, J2EE, REST Services is a plus
• Experience working in a fast-paced start up environment

CLICK HERE to read the full job description and to apply.