Energy Central – Energy efficiency enhances other DERs’ value, but few utilities incentivize combinations of them

Westhaven Power CEO Brett Joerger describes the northern California company he runs as a utility.

That’s because Westhaven’s goal is to provide its customers with the solar generation and energy storage capacity they need to run their homes without drawing electricity from the grid.

“We give them the power of choice,” he said.

To help it give them even more power for less money, Westhaven also installs energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. Reducing the amount of electricity its customers demand to heat and cool their homes allows them to store more power for use during peak times or public safety power shutoffs due to fire risks. It also helps Westhaven put its customers on the path toward what Joerger calls “grid liberation” for less money.

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